In 2024, Governor Hope Uzodimma Will Be Re-Elected

BY KENNETH UWADI

Hope Uzodinma. Image: Facebook

I read a story on Sahara Reporters of 1st January, 2022 titled, don’t seek re-election for second term, Nigerian Cleric, Primate Ayodele, warns Imo Governor. As the Igbo saying goes, when you see a frog in the day, there must be something after his life. When I read the Ayodele story, I got the picture. The hawks who want to take over Imo by fire by force are at it again. Their first strategy was sponsoring fake newspaper stories, and then they turned to sponsoring killings in the state. Their latest style is sponsoring and promoting fake prophecies. In actions and deeds, these hawks have been making silly and unpardonable mistakes. They have added thousands of votes to Governor Hope Uzodimma in 2004 without knowing it. Hours on end, they continue to add value to Uzodimma’s reelection by jumping from one mistake to another. In their futile bids to paint the governor black they have angered Ndi-Imo who now feel that the governor is being witch hunted for nothing. Men who want to rule the state are going about killing people, killing police, killing soldiers, killing traditional rulers, sponsoring fake prophecies and fake media stories about Imo.

Primate Ayodele only tickled himself and we all know that such a practice is an exercise in self deceit. His message reminds me of some so-called men and women of God, who predicted doomsday and Armageddon. Frightened Nigerians scampered abroad and to their states of origin in droves, some sold their properties at give away prices, awaiting the doomsday. Many died in the process. The disintegration never came. Like the Doomsday and Armageddon prophets, Ayodele’s message about Imo will not come to pass . Emerson once said in The Over Soul ‘’the soul is the perceiver and revealer of truth. We know the truth when we see it; let the skeptics and scoffers say what they choose’’. It is very saddening today to see that false pastors and prophets have dominated the airspace, news media and TV in the land. Today, false prophets prophesy all kinds of lies to enrich their never-satisfying stomachs, selfish and satanic desires. Jeremiah 5:31 informs us that: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power.

The presence of the unknown servants of God in Imo will keep the state away from doom. Imo is in the hands of God. The State will not enter into the hands of killers. Those who pride themselves on their weakness and incompetence, those who kill our people just because they want to rule the state , those whose love of false prophets and strange women know no bounds and have no end will not rule Imo. We know them. When they were governors what did they do? When they were governors they abdicated their responsibilities, destroyed their own political parties, divided their own people, brought ridicule to their own faith, looted Imo funds to high heavens, scorn Ndi-Imo. They are self-evident leaking ships. They will not rule. In 2024, Governor Hope Uzodimma will be re-elected.

When Hezekiah heard he was going to die, he prayed to God. He asked God to intervene. The very fact that he prayed is a remarkable sign of his faithfulness. Think how desperate his situation was. He was sick to death. He has had the prophetic word that he was going to die. The Lord showed his blessing upon him by healing him, by raising him up, by uniting him in the fellowship of worship in his temple and by granting him 15 more years of life and by giving him a son, delivering Jerusalem from the hand of the Assyrians. The Lord surely did glorify himself in answering the prayers of Hezekiah . God that did it for Hezekiah will do it for Imo. Message of Doom will not work in the state.

Balack told Balaam ‘’Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. But God said to Balaam, “You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” The Almighty’s warning – thou shall not curse a man God has blessed. The guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. It is God that brought in Uzodimma and in 2024 he will become Governor for a second time. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! There will be a gang up but who can battle with the lord. Nobody! Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. And so shall it be. It is done.

Uzodinma, APC Have Turned Imo Into Abattoir For Killing Igbos – IPOB

Hope Uzodinma. Image: Twitter

BY SEUN OPEJOBI

OWERRI (DAILY POST) -- The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday accused Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State of collaborating with security operatives and Ebubeagu to kill innocent people in the state.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, claimed that Uzodinma, alongside the All Progressives Congress, APC, security agents and Ebubeagu, has turned Imo State into an “abattoir for innocent Biafrans.”

Powerful was reacting to reports that soldiers repelled and killed and operatives of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in the state.


He noted that claims that security operatives repelled ESN operatives who allegedly besieged the palace of Eze Emmanuel Eze Okeke of Amaifeke in Orlu LGA Imo State are blatant lies by Uzodinma and his followers.


A statement by Powerful reads: “We are the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi KANU. Following the frustration and lack of professionalism by the Nigerian security agencies, they have as usual resorted to lies and propaganda to deceive the gullible minds.

“The Nigerian Army and police parading and killing innocent citizens in Imo State have started with falsehood to demonise their innocent victims. They can only deceive those who don’t know what is happening in Imo State since Hope Uzodinma and his APC party turned Imo State into an abattoir for innocent Biafrans.

“Nigerian security agents and Ebubeagu security members recruited by Hope Uzodinma were operating and killing innocent citizens in Imo State have lied again that they repelled ESN operatives who allegedly besieged the palace of Eze Emmanuel Eze Okeke of Amaifeke in Orlu LGA Imo State.


“This is another blatant lie from the pit of hell. IPOB/ESN operatives have no issues with traditional rulers in Biafraland but Nigeria army and police are trying to create the wrong impression that we are hunting the monarchs.”

2023 Presidency: Nigerians Will Run To Ghana If APC Returns – PDP Scribe

Samuel Anyanwu. Image: Facebook

BY TUNJI ADEDEJI

OWERRI, IMO STATE (DAILY POST) -- The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu has expressed worries over the security challenges in the country, especially, the South East geopolitical zone.

He said Nigerians, especially the youths will have no option than to leave for Ghana if APC returns to power after President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Senator Anyanwu, who was a member of the 8th Senate, expressed regret that the APC government had only worsened the suffering of Nigerians, after using Chibok girls to blackmail Jonathan’s administration out of power in 2015.

The party scribe, who stated this at his country home in Ikeduru Council area of Imo State while fielding questions from journalists, expressed the readiness of the party to reclaim the country from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023

He said, “under the current APC administration, Nigerians are going through economic and political trials. Every sector in the country has collapsed. Aside hunger, starvation and high cost of food items, Nigerians are still hiding from kidnappers or unknown or known gunmen.”

Anyanwu, who represented Imo East Senatorial District under the PDP went on to state that if President Muhammadu Buhari and APC did not leave office in 2023, nothing good should be expected from the administration.

Anyanwu said the only thing Nigerians are asking for is a smooth transition of results from the polling units but because the APC wants to rig the general election in 2023, they have refused to do the needful.

He said Nigeriains shouldn’t expect much from a party with too many factions being manned by a state governor.

He said more factions will emerge in Imo APC and at the Federal level before March 2022, “because they are not together. Nigerians will resist APC, in Imo State, because they are standing on the neck of the people,”

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope over the present challenges confronting the country, assuring them of PDP’s readiness to rescue and rebuild the nation when it takes over power.

He said the APC government had lowered the bar of governance in the State and the country.

He described Nigeria as the most indebted country in the world.

“There is a seriously high level of corruption in the country today under the APC led administration,” he lamented.

NIGERIA: The Imo Fiasco: Time To Legislate Handover

Rochas Okorocha

BY STEVE OSUJI

OWERR (SUN NEWS ONLINE) -- It is a perverse and graceless state out here in Imo State. One is not talking about the sheer dishevelment and post hurricane scenarios right from the Government Lodge down to the lost corners of the state. If a governor’s dwelling place is in a state of disgrace, there is no telling how the rest of his domain would be. No, I talk not about the bad behaviours of our immediate past governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; it’s about the long-term debilitating effect of bad governance and about solution.

Again, this is not even about the heavy physical damage he inflicted on a once-beautiful, serene and upwardly mobile state. It is about the violence done to our psyche, our esteem and worst of all, our institutions. It can be said that where there are no institutions, there really is no life in the true sense of it because there is no human essence; no culture, no tradition and of course no civilization. In this new age of mankind, institution is everything. Peoples and countries that understand that institutions are sacrosanct; those who have the best institutions will always lead the world.

But the Okorocha mystique was to obliterate and vanquish institutions. Thus for eight years, he waged a relentless war against all the institutions there were in Imo state. And of course he left no institutional edifice of his time; not a trace. He did not only crash all systems, he pulled out the memory card and yanked the hard drive. Imo today can be likened to a vacuous state; a blind blunder-head groping about in the dark. Imo is devoid of any institutional memory whatsoever.

Consider this scenario: Commissioners for Information for eight years were eight. There were about five Secretaries to the State Government, about four commissioners for Land. This was the trend in his governance. Then there was balkanization of ministries and agencies, merging and de-merging including new ones like ministry of Happiness and all that jazz.

All of these were happening on the whims of Number one; as His Excellency woke up each day. Strategic appointees of state were called up and yanked off even before they were seated. In a situation like this, hardly any record is kept; there was no proper understanding of the importance of documentation and archiving, the state was run on the run so to speak. In an environment like this, it would of course be difficult to have a proper report of stewardship or give account; especially if there was no intention to hand over in the first place as was the case with former Governor Okorocha. It is this manner of dilemma besetting the immediate past administration that has made it very difficult if not impossible for it to handover its affairs of eight years.

Of course, anyone who knows about the running of government would discern that a proper handover could not be achieved by the Okorocha Administration. That there was no formal handover was made plain at the inauguration of the Secretary of the Imo State Government recently. During the occasion, Governor Emeka Ihedioha had called up the sitting Permanent Secretary of Government House who was the most senior personnel left to take the in-coming members of the new administration round the offices. He was asked about the status of formal handing over. The Principal Secretary had told the audience in the hall that no handover had been put to effect whereupon there was much angry rumbling in the audience.

It must be noted that there was no formal meeting between the governor-elect and the sitting governor in Imo State since the election was won and lost. Here was no cooperation in the activities leading to the inauguration. A sham joint transition committee was set up by the Okorocha administration which proposed elaborate project visit, but it was only a ruse to distract the in-coming government.

There have also been photographs of the cover of a handover note flying about in the social media. Some handover note, a man with understanding would wonder. Even if we assume that some notes are contained in that cover, the natural question to ask is that is that all Owelle Okorocha has to handover after eight years? For those who know, one consultancy and design report on one major road would be bulkier that Okorocha’s eight-year report of stewardship. Owelle Okorocha has forgotten so soon how then Governor Ikedi Ohakim handed over to him in 2011.

According to officials who witnessed the ceremony held in the Exco Chamber of Imo government House between top government officials led by Ohakim and the then in-coming governor-elect Okorocha and his team. According to report, the atmosphere was convivial between the sitting governor and the in-coming one.

Ohakim was said to have brought a truck load of documents representing his four years of stewardship which made Owelle Okorocha to joke that he wished all the documents were cash. Ohakim also handed Okorocha other paraphernalia of office as well as giving him confidential executive briefing. It was a serious and comprehensive state ceremony; it was an act of governance and statecraft. More remarkable, it was an act of grace and statesmanship. Managing a state is not only a serious business, it is a divine trust, it is about the lives of millions of people and must be carried out with the sobriety and in deed solemnity that it requires. But Owelle Okorocha turned governance into a plaything, an infantile affair and for eight years, the governance of Imo State was like children playing in the sand, trying to reenact governance within the ambit of their childish estimations. The result today is pathetic to behold.

It is true that there were other wayward governors who practically absconded from government house without the right and proper transition procedures. This is unacceptable and indeed a crime to the people of the states they had governed for so long and abandoned at the end stage.

By this piece advocates for a legislation to set the standards and procedures for ‘trasitioning’ from one government/administration to the other. This is both for the states and the federal government. In fact we suggest a publication of each state’s audited accounts of an administration before a formal handover of office. The law may also stipulate that an out-going governor MUST as a matter of duty, personally account for his stewardship at the handover ceremony.

This is a challenge to both the National Assembly and the States’ Houses of Assembly. A well made law would keep state executives on their toes as they run their states on a daily basis knowing that they would have to give a thorough account at the end of the day. This way, no in-coming governor would be left high and dry the way the Rochas Okorocha left Emeka Ihedioha. We must relentlessly interrogate the way our country is run if we want to march in stride with the rest of the world.

Osuji is Media Aide to Governor Emeka Ihedioha

SOURCE: DAILY SUN

We’ll Not Run Govt Of Propaganda – Ihedioha

Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha. Image via Daily Sun

BY GEORGE ONYEJIUWA

OWERRI (DAILY SUN) -- Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has said his administration would not be run on propaganda.

This was just as he reiterated that his government would recover all assets, property, funds and private lands forcefully acquired by the immediate past governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and officials of his administration.

He also disclosed his administration would set up team of legal experts for the review and update of the extant laws of the state to be in tandem with the objective of his administration to develop both infrastructurally and industrially.

The governor stated this, yesterday, while declaring open a three-day retreat/orientation for Imo State House of Assembly members-elect of the ninth Assembly held at the Crystal Lake Resort, Oguta.

“We are not going to run an administration based on propaganda and we will not be distracted by those who have already decided to bad mouth us. What we promised the people of the state is that besides restoring the state to progress, we are going to recover all looted funds, assets, property and private lands that were forcefully acquired by the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha and officials of his administration. We are compiling a comprehensive list of those involved in the criminal act and would soon be forwarded to security agencies.

“You cannot run a state the way you like, you don’t just take away the property of a state; that is stealing and we will criminalise you. If government is run the way the immediate past administration did, former governors of the state would have left nothing for their successors. I can’t just swallow the lie that I have been handed over to when I wasn’t.”

He maintained that his administration is going to review all land allocations immediately, stressing that it did not matter when it was back dated as the administration has already secured the services of forensic experts to determined the actual date when such lands were allocated.

He re-emphasised his commitment to qualitative education, poverty and unemployment alleviation, wealth creation, massive investment in agriculture, good quality health care for the people as well as an enabling environment to make the state a preferred destination for business.

Imo Assembly Sacks LG Chairmen, Councillors, Boards’ Members

Imo State House of Assembly building.

BY UROWAYINO WARAMI

Owerri (VANGUARD) — Imo State House of Assembly yesterday, suspended indefinitly, chairmen of the 27 local government areas of the state, councillors, as well as all the boards’ appointments made by the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Affected also in the indefinite suspension were all the recently-named universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The House, among other things, also mentioned that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, be invited with a view to unravelling the true financial status of Imo State as well as its debt profile.

It further ordered that the former Speaker, Acho Ihim, be stripped of his privileges, alleging that he derailed the House.

The reasons for their action were heaped on what some of them claimed to be “bad leadership of the former Speaker, Ihim, which stifled our voices

.” Recall that the same Imo State lawmakers, at different levels, approved and participated in the last appointments drama, approvals and local government council elections.

Vanguard was told that the last minute dramatic indefinite suspensions were made by the core loyalists to Governor Okorocha.

Vanguard learned that the action of Imo House of Assembly came after adopting a motion moved by Mike Iheanetu(Aboh Mbaise state constituency), demanding for the immediate dissolution of the last minute appointments and boards by the Okorocha government.

In another motion, which was moved by the member representing Ezinihitte Mbaise, Bruno Ukoha and adopted, he called for the indefinite suspension of the council bosses and their vice chairmen.

I Am Leaving N42.5 Billion For Ihedioha To Govern Imo, Says Okorocha

Rochas Okorocha

BY CHARLES OGUGBUAJA

OWERRI (GUARDIAN) -- Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday said he would leave a whopping 42.5 billion for his successor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, to enable him work without initial excuses.

Okorocha disclosed this while swearing in the new Head of Service, Mrs. Ngozi Ama Eluwa; 11 new Permanent Secretaries and Accountant-General, Donald Igbo, at the Government House in Owerri. He said N8.1 billion is meant for the payment of salaries and capital projects, while N5.2 billion would be for payment of pension arrears.

But the incoming administration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through the state’s Publicity Secretary of the party, Damian Oparah, alleged that Okorocha would leave with debt of over N100 billion and uncompleted projects, among other myriad of problems.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Damian Oparah, who spoke with The Guardian, expressed disgust over the comment.“It is when we see it we know if it is true. He is leaving N45.5 billion when he is also leaving over N100 billion debt; over N200 billion worth of uncompleted projects and problems he created in the state. Look at Owerri each time it rains how the entire place is.” Oparah said.

The outgoing Imo State governor, who accused the PDP chieftains of sending petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which made the agency to block the funds for the payment of pension arrears and others at the point of commencing payment, advised the new appointees to reposition the state civil service, shun corruption and keep their integrity.

He said: “Remember God in discharging your duties. Discharge your duties without fear or favour and also defend your state when the need arises. I gave this state my best. I will do all I can to support the incoming government. Imo State Government has kept aside a total of N4.5 billion for the in-coming government, and for that reason, I will set up a sub-committee to make sure that the projects they are attached to come to fruition even when I am out of office or when I will not be available because government is a continuum.”

Okorocha Hasn’t Released Money For My Inauguration, Says Imo Gov-Elect

Imo State Governor-Elect Emeka Ihedioha. Image: Market Digest

BY CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA

OWERRI (PUNCH) --Governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha, has said that the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has not released a dime for his swearing-in on May 29.

Ihedioha, who spoke in a statement issued by the secretary of his inauguration and handover committee, Ray Emeana, who doubles as the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, said that the governor had refused to finance the inauguration activities.

According to the governor-elect, there was no truth that Okorocha had released N150m to his inauguration and handover committee for the May 29 program.

The statement read partly “Governor Rochas Okorocha has not released any money to the Emeka Ihedioha Inauguration Planning And Handover Committee.

“For the avoidance of doubts, Governor Rochas Okorocha and his outgoing government have not released any money to the Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee. The committee has not requested for any money either. Rather, the joint committee made up of the 31–member Ihediohia team and the 21–member Rochas Okorocha team met and adopted common resolutions on how best to proceed with the inauguration activities. Rochas Okorocha has since abandoned the mutual resolutions and proceeded with his “Internet-based Commissioning of Internet Sited Projects.

“Conscious of the importance Imo people attach to the May 29, 2019 handover date, the Ihedioha/Irona inauguration committee has proceeded with arrangements to deliver a world-class inauguration to Imo people come May 29, 2019.

“Arrangements to ensure this delivery include such activities such as providing clean environments within and around event venues including the Dan Anyiam and Grass Hoppers Handball stadia.

“Indeed, Imo is already agog with excitement. Currently, Owerri is the destination of choice for prominent Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. The hotels are fully booked. Flights into Owerri are filled up. The venues for the various programmes are wearing new and fresh looks.

“We can understand the frustrations of Governor Okorocha and the remnants of his e-rats, having realized that their efforts to derail the swearing-in of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha and Hon (Engr) Gerald Irona as Imo State Governor and Deputy Governor respectively have failed woefully.”

NIGERIA: Police Brutality, Extortion Worse In South East –NHRC

Image via Nigeria Police Watch

BY GEORGE ONYEJIUWA

OWERRI (SUN NEWS) -- South East Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, has raised the alarm about alleged police brutality, abuse, intimidation and extortion in the zone.

This was even as she noted the conduct of policemen, who she alleged constituted themselves into a terror group.

The NHRC boss stated this during the Public Tribunal on Police Corruption, Brutally and Abuse in Southern Nigeria in Owerri, capitalof Imo State, yesterday.

She said: “Police corruption, abuse and brutality have become more pervasive in the South East.

“There is high level of impunity and extortion, with illegal checkpoints at every one pole and those who refuse to give in to the extortion by these armed policemen would be severely manhandled.

“Some unfortunate ones have ended up being killed and, thereafter, framed as armed robbers.”

Nwokocha maintained that the anti-kidnapping, anti-cultism and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have all become agents of terror.

“The extra-judicial killings by officers of the SARS is frightening and efforts by the NHRC and the Network of Police Reforms in Nigeria, to get the police accountable for these extra-judicial killings have failed.

“In most cases, the police will lie that the culprit has been dismissed, when, in fact, they have been transferred.

“Today, SARS is now used as debt collectors, for settlement of land and even family disputes, which are simply civil matters.”

Also, National Coordinator of #EndSARS, Segun Awosanya, said SARS officers have constituted themselves into an organised crime syndicate, who are above the law.

“Our police system has been operating under the oppressive Act of 1943 and, until that Act is repealed and replaced with a more progressive one that is in tandem with the administration of criminal justice.

“Today, what we have as police officers are people who constitute themselves into an organised crime syndicate that are above the law and that is why we are calling for the scrapping of SARS or its total overhauling.

“We want every police officer to be subjected to psychological evaluation because, you don’t give a gun to a man that is mentally unbalanced,” Awosanya noted.

NOPRIN National Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the organisation had been at the forefront of police reforms and that the tribunal was purposely organised for the people of the South East, who are victims of police brutality and abuse.



He said south easterners should come forward with their experiences, which would form part of their recommendations for action.

Imo APC Expels Guber Candidate

Hope Uzodinma image via The Nation

BY OKODILI NDIDI

OWERRI, IMO STATE (THE NATION)--The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), on Thursday, expelled its governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma over alleged anti-party activities.

The state Chairman of the party, Hon Daniel Nwafor, who announced the expulsion during a media briefing at the party’s secretariat, said that the action became necessary to save the party from disintegration.

According to him, it has been established that the APC governorship candidate is sponsoring opposition candidates against the party’s candidates in the state, adding that such action is capable of ruining the chances of the APC in the elections.

“Senator Hope has been sponsoring the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Senatorial candidate, Senator Osita Izunaso as against the APC Senatorial candidate in Imo West, Governor Rochas Okorocha, he has also been running parallel Exco in his Omuma Ward and issuing party cards without recourse to party Exco”, Nwafor alleges.

A statement jointly signed by the Chairman (Daniel Nwafor) and the Secretary, Hon Obioma Ireagwu, reads “this is to inform you that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Omuma Ward of Oru East Local Government Area in Imo State has expelled Senator Hope Uzodinma from the party due to certain inordinate and anti-party activities perpetrated by him and his cohorts.

“The Imo State Working Committee (SWC) of our great party has examined the processes and procedures of the sanction on Senator Hope Uzodinma by his Ward as affirmed by the Local Government organ of the party in Oru East. Conclusively, the State Working Committee satisfied with the procedures and decision of Omuma Ward, hereby affirm the expulsion order as well”.

Further justifying the expulsion, Nwafor submitted that “we are saving the party, we have an election in three weeks time and we cannot allow our governorship candidate to be sponsoring opposition candidates. We will no longer recognize Senator Hope Uzodinma as our governorship candidate because he is no longer a member of our party”.

He continued that, “we will not allow one candidate to jeopardize the chances of our other candidates who are vying for various positions across the state. We have communicated the National Working Committee of our party on our decision and we have also instructed all APC members in the state not to have anything to do with Senator Hope Uzodinma and his ambition forthwith”.

NIGERIA: Court Nullifies Suspension Of Imo Lawmakers, Fines Okorocha, Speaker N8m

Rochas Okorocha image via New Telegraph, Nigeria

BY STEVE UZOECHI

OWERRI (NEW TELEGRAPH)--A High Court sitting in Imo State yesterday quashed the suspension of four members of the State House of Assembly, describing the suspension as illegal.

The court, in its ruling, also fined Governor Rochas Okorocha, Speaker Acho Ihim and the Imo State House of Assembly to the tune of N8million awarded jointly to the applicants, Dr. Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru APC), Mr Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano APC), Mr. Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli) and Mr. Ikenna Nzeruo (Oru East APC) as damages and the sum of N100, 000 in legal fees.

The presiding Judge, Justice Goddy Anunihu, in his ruling on the matter also directed the Speaker of the House and the Imo House of Assembly who were the first and second respondents, to pay the applicants their salaries, allowances and emoluments for the period they were suspended.

Delivering judgment, Anunihu, who described the action of the Assembly as ‘putting the cart before the horse’ added that the allegations leveled against the four suspended members were vague and that the suspended lawmakers were not given a fair hearing on the matter.

He ruled that the House should have deferred the matter to listen to the affected members before suspending them.

He also ruled that the suspension of the members was a gross violation of the rights of the constituents of the suspended members and violated their rights to fair hearing.

One of the reinstated lawmakers, Nnataraonye, in a telephone conversation shortly after the judgment said, “I have already moved in and resumed duties. I am in my office as I speak. This is a victory for democracy and rule of law, it shows that our judicial system is a place of justice.”
Also reacting to the ruling, the counsel to the applicants, Barr Mike Ohanaka said the ruling was well thought out and very just.

Recall that the four lawmakers were suspended by the assembly on June 27, 2018 over alleged unparliamentary conduct.

The suspension followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Lugard Osuji (APC Owerri Municipal) and seconded by Hon. Lawman Duruji.

NIGERIA: Okorocha: The Czar Learns The Hard Way

BY FELIX NWANERI

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

OWERRI (NEW TELEGRAPH)--It is evident that these are not the best of times for Governor Rochas Okorocha, over last weekend’s submission of list of governorship and House of Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

With the party’s submission of the list, Okorocha, who had insisted on his son-in-law and Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, as the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State, has his dream of anointing his successor crash like a pack of cards. Nwosu was knocked out by the senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Hope Uzodinma.

The governor and the senator had been locked in a fierce battle for the soul of APC in the state since the ward congress of the party. Okorocha, who is supposedly versed in the intricacies of party politics, was left guessing by an alliance of APC stakeholders in the state led by Uzodinma, who upstaged him, not only in the ward congress, but the local government and state congresses.

But, politics being a game of the possible, the table later turned in favour of the governor, when the court cancelled the congresses, following a suit by Okorocha’s camp.

The court also ordered fresh congresses at the various levels, an order which the party’s national leadership consented to. When Okorocha regained control of the APC in the state after the fresh congresses, it became clear to many that it was time for him to pay back his traducers in their own coin.

The first casualty was his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, who was hurriedly impeached by the state House of Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct and dereliction of duty. In Madumere’s stead, Okorocha nominated the Head of Service, Mr. Callistus Ekenze, but an interim order by a High Court sitting Owerri, the Imo State Capital, stopped his swearing-in as the new deputy governor of the state.

The court issued an interim order following a suit by Madumere challenging his impeachment.

Having unsettled and frustrated Madumere and others who were determined to succeed him out of the APC, the coast at that time seemed clear for Okorocha to have his way.

To the governor, who rode on the goodwill of Imo people to power in 2011, there was nothing stopping the move to entrench the Okorocha political dynasty, which his critics say allows little opportunity for outsiders to hold offices of power and service. Comprised mainly of members of his immediate family, the character of the dynasty’s politics, is, that to its elements belong the spoils of war.

Besides Nwosu, who is the Chief of Staff, Okorocha’s younger sister, Mrs. Ogechi Ololo, is the commissioner for Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment. Before her appointment as commissioner, Ololo served as Chief of Staff, Domestic Affairs apart from being in charge of the Christmas Decoration Project since the inception of the administration.

Also, another of Okorocha’s sons-in-inlaw, Uzoma Anwuka, is an important personality in his government. Uzoma is the son of the current Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, a former vice chancellor of the state owned university (Imo State University), who served as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during Okorocha’s first tenure.

The governor, whose tenure elapses on May 29, next year, has picked his party’s ticket to contest for the Imo West senatorial seat. But, while he was basking in the euphoria of his triumph at the party’s congresses and primaries, especially that for the governorship, which was conducted twice before Nwosu emerged, it never occurred to him that unlike other chieftains of the party, who sought for refuge in other parties, Uzodinma was determined not to let go.

The senator and governor’s son-inlaw had emerged candidates of parallel primaries conducted by the two APC factions in the state.

But, wading into the matter, the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at a time advised the governor to cede 45 per cent of the party’s structure to the Uzodinma group in a bid to cater for the interest of the contending forces.

Oshiomhole was also said to have asked Okorocha to choose between his senatorial ambition and his desire to have his son in-law as his successor, but the governor insisted that he and his anointed were the best candidates for the governorship and senatorial seats. He further maintained that no one can win election in the state without his backing.

The governor, who never hid his frustration over the way Oshiomhole handled the impasse, seized every opportunity to blast the party’s national chairman. He also made moves to persuade President Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the matter, but was not successful. Perhaps, having done all he could to turn the tide; he resorted to a subtle threat against the party.

Speaking last Thursday, after a meeting with President Buhari at the presidential villa, Okorocha, who is the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, claimed that that the party under Oshiomhole has lost five million voters given the way he (Oshiomhole) has fuelled anger among party faithful and protests across the country.

But, Oshiomhole, a labour leader turned politician, who is not new to battles of such magnitude, was not ready to yield ground. He maintained that APC has no room for emperors like Okorocha.

His words: “There are no emperors in APC; if anybody tries to make himself as one, it will be an exercise in futility. What I have not been able to do for Governor Okorocha is to assist him with the instrument of APC, even as that will border on abuse of power on my side. And I do not have such powers to help him to create Rochas Okorocha political dynasty in Imo State in which he will be the APC Senatorial candidate and his son in-law, Uche Nwosu, the governorship candidate.

“I am convinced that this is where many of my friend governors tend not to understand me. If there is conflict between the known interest of the great people of Imo, who have reposed confidence in us by voting us to power as they did in 2015, I will resist. I will resist every unlawful pressure to undermine the wishes of the good people of Imo and at this stage, the wishes of APC members in Imo who do not want a political dynasty, by the way they have voted.”

While hope seems to have dimmed for Nwosu making it to the ballot for the March 2, 2019 governorship election, Okorocha insists that the aspiration of his son-in-law is not in the hands of Oshiomhole, but in the hands of God first, and Imo people.

NIGERIA: Okorocha Withdraws Security, Staff From Deputy Gov’s Office

Rochas Okorocha image via This Day Newspapers

BY AMBY UNEZE

OWERRI (THIS DAY)--Imo State Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha saturday withdrew security personnel and staff attached to the office of the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Eze Madumere without clear reason.

In swift reaction, Madumere condemned the decision of the governor to withdraw most of the key staff attached to his office, describing it as unwarranted action in withdrawing most of the key staff attached to his Office.

He expressed disappointed at the decision during a conversation with journalists, recalling that since his acquittal from the impeachment plot in the High Court seating in Owerri presided by Justice Benjamin Iheka, there had been gross disregard to his office.

He lamented that his security aides have not been restored even after he had written to the appropriate authorities for almost two months running.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi could not restore his security in spite of the court verdict since September, noting that it portended danger of his life.

In a memo with Reference NO: HIS/S.29/S.1/t.3/1/807, 12 members of the staff were posted out of the office of the deputy governor where eight of them are operational staff and drivers while others are administrative staff, including senior staff on data processing.

He, however, said the Imo State Government led by Okorocha had resolved “to cause harm if not make attempt on the life of the deputy governor.

“We recall that during the series of impeachment plots to remove the Deputy Governor, we raised alarm over the grand plan to harm Prince Madumere following his stance against imposition of Governor’s son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu and other irreconcilable issues that bordered on policies.

“We also recall how some members of the domestic staff of the Deputy Governor were approached to be used as agents of death to poison the deputy governor.

“Therefore, Office of the Deputy Governor regrets the tyrannical model of governance approach of the government even in a democracy, where people’s opinion or freedom of Speech, association and other fundamental rights are not respected.

“It is also regrettable to note that Imo State government should throw caution to the wind by flagrantly refusing to observe ethics, values and respect for the hierarchy of office in an established organization as a government to the extent where the opinion of the deputy governor is not sought before issue as sensitive as posting out staff from the office of the deputy governor by the head of service.

“We wish to state categorically that the sudden posting of the operational staff of the office of the deputy governor is a careful plot to compromise the security of Prince Eze Madumere.

“We therefore view the whole actions and inactions of the government of Imo State as wholly suspicious and a well-known old preparatory gimmicks before high profile heinous crimes like assassinations are committed.

“We wish to therefore notify the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Imo State and other security agencies to take note of the suspicious actions and inactions of Imo State Government led by His Excellency, Rochas Okorocha”, the statement said.

Udenwa On The March Again

FROM THE ARCHIVES: THE CASE OF IMO STATE

The Use Of Propaganda To Send Misleading Messages

ACHIKE UDENWA

BY EZIKPE UZOKA

JANUARY 16, 2003

OWERRI (THIS DAY)--Last week, Chief Achike Udenwa, the executive Governor of Imo State, formally commenced his re-election campaign. In his characteristic candour and unassuming style, he held discussions with different audiences, telling them why he thought he should be returned as the governor of the state on May 29 this year.His mood was inviting. His delivery was concise and measured.

They compelled understanding. The governor said he had seen and that he understood what the problem of Imo state was.. In the last three and half years, he has confronted the monster of under-development which has kept the state down. He has, through his efforts, driven the monster to the fringes. What is left is for him to nail it to the coffin. The next four years, he said, would help him to realise this objective to the fullest. It is a height which he wants to attain not for his own sake but for the benefit of the people of the state whom he holds in very high esteem.

To be sure, Udenwa's Imo is quite a model. It is a well known fact that Imo is a haven for learning. The people of the state cherish education and many of them have reached glorious heights in the field of education. Udenwa is quite happy and satisfied with the progress of the state in this regard and he has continued to provide a conducive atmosphere for more learning in the state. Under him, the state has continued to remain in our educational statistics as a frontline state. The number of Imo sons and daughters in universities and other tertiary institutions has continued to top the national list.

Beyond these well known credentials of the state, Udenwa's Imo now boasts of having the best secondary school in Nigeria- Government Secondary School Owerri. The Imo State University was recently adjudged the best state owned university in the country by the National Universities Commission. 

Today, as well, the state is savouring the glory of having the best teacher in Nigeria. This is in addition to the fact that the state has the highest number of primary and secondary schools in the country. In fact, Udenwa's Imo is a reference point for having continually maintained the lead in having the highest number of school enrolment at both the primary and tertiary levels. If Udenwa's Imo were to be a state where schools are closed for months owing to non- payment of salaries, all this string of firsts would not have been possible.

But if there is any area which has tasked Udenwa and which is seriously propelling him to return to Government House to finish the good job he has started, it is his interest in giving Imo an industrial base. As a private sector person, the governor says he will not rest until he gets the private sector to begin to participate in the industrial development of the state. While the government of the day has been able to rehabilitate the ailing or moribund industries in the state, it still believes that the state would be better off if its economy is private sector-driven. This is one of the main concerns of the governor.

It is not in doubt if Imo State is on the path to progress again for re-nominating the incumbent Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa for a second term bid under the platform of Peoples Democratic party (PDP) a few weeks ago. But the development has succeeded in putting to shame those opposed to the administration who have in the recent times employed all sorts of propaganda to whip up sentiments against the state government amidst the numerous achievements of the present administration in the state.

Suffice it to say that one good turn deserves another; Udenwa deserves another term in office for some obvious reasons. It is no longer news that in 1999 when this administration was ushered in, the level of rot in the polity was unquantifiable. The past military administrations were mere conduit pipes that left the state in a mess of indebtedness. But not deterred by the depth of the decay, Chief Udenwa and his table in some neighbouring states. It did not stop there; the administration went further to computerise some schools in the state. 

Frankly speaking what does this gesture portend for our future generation? Is there hope for the young generation? Basically, the response is in the affirmative. Computer literacy is fast becoming a pre-requisite for the younger generation. A lack of it could smear the chances of an individual to achieve a preferred height in career pursuit. In a world where too much emphasis is being placed on computer literacy, Udenwa, perhaps, saw the imperativeness of the phenomenal capacity utilisation emerging young Imo citizens when he took the decision to computerise a number of secondary schools with another rolling plan to extend it to other schools that were not computerised in this dispensation.

A cursory look at various schools in the state before the inception of the Udenwa's administration in May 1999, will testify that some schools were glorified termite abodes. Children were subjected to ignoble torture of learning under trees. It looked like there was no hope. Suddenly, out of sheer wise decision of handing over the mantle of leadership to Udenwa, the pendulum swung. Today, not only have some schools been renovated, a lot of new blocks were put in place to accommodate the teeming Imo sons and daughters yearning for formal education.

The point to appreciate here is the kind of person Udenwa is. As one who was brought up under the strict and disciplined atmosphere of the private sector, Udenwa combines managerial acumen with financial prudence. This is what he has brought to bear on his administration in Imo State. Presiding over a state, as Imo State is not as easy as one may probably think. It requires financial discipline and wisdom in the allocation and distribution of the meagre resources. Invariably, Udenwa has been able to keep this track record and has equally proved some that think that all about governance is to loot the public treasury. That readily gives a bird's eye view of some obvious reasons why some people who belong to the governance school of looting often quarrel with the strategy of Udenwa in channelling the lean resources of the state to where it will pay the masses most.

Similarly, the Udenwa administration has improved the health sector tremendously within the last four years. He has recruited some sound Medical Doctors, Pharmacists and Nurses; he has rehabilitated and re-equipped more than five general hospitals across the state. His administration has equally completed to the level of usage the state's Public Health Laboratory at new Owerri and the World-Class Imo State Environmental Protection Agency laboratory Complex.

It will be wise on the part of Imo people to re-elect the man who knows where the shoe pinches. It should be our collective resolve to be wise at the polls to elect only those whose credentials are well known to us. The opportunity to stop at the polls those who have evil intention of smearing the treasury of the state is now. Equally, we have in our kitty their antecedents and strengths in as much as they grew up with us and live with us. But it will be a display of wisdom if tested, reliable, trusted performers like Udenwa are returned to governance in this 2003. Definitely, Udenwa fits in. He is a man who has the fear of God. He has been there and knows exactly what to do and where to continue with his laudable programmes. He knows where the problems of the state lie and how to keep solving them rather than bringing in another person to start all over.

Apparently, our votes are our future. So it is important that we make judicious use of it. It is also imperative to note that there are legions of unscrupulous elements amongst us that are bent on ruining the hard earned achievements of Udenwa's administration. Some may even offer us money or use all forms of stunts to thwart our vote in their favour. But we must try as much as we can to look beyond our nose to sieve between the chaff and the man who can deliver as usual and even more to us. More parties have been registered, like wise more aspirants are coming up. Above all sentiments lies our collective future, which we must avoid to mortgage in the hands of few cohorts, bound to nose-dive our economy and social integration in the state. Be wise. Subscribe to continuity. Udenwa remains unbeatable amongst his peers when it comes to democratic dividends.

Udenwa Left 24bn Debt--Ohakim

FROM THE ARCHIVES: THE CASE OF IMO STATE

(FILE PHOTO): Former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa. Udenwa was governor between 1999 and 2007 and Federal Minister of Commerce and Industry between 2008 and 2010 under the Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

JULY 31, 2007

OWERRI, IMO STATE (VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS)--The immediate past administration of Chief Achike Udenwa of Imo State left a debt portfolio of N24 billion, according to his successor, Governor Ikedi Ohakim

Governor Ikedi Ohakim at the inauguration of the state Council of Elders was particularly irked that the state is indebted to the tune of N10 billion in pension and gratuity arrears dating back to 1994.

He also told the stunned Imo Elders that debt owed to contractors amount to over N14 billion, adding that we have over 250 un-energized transformers lying waste in many communities and over 300 dysfunctional water schemes.

His words: "As I speak to you, this state is saddled with a bloated, disgruntled, demoralized and ill-motivated workforce riddled with ghost workers."

"Imo State is the only one in the federation with a ratio of 80 per cent of its revenue going to recurrent expenditure and only 20 per cent left for capital projects."

While wondering how the state can develop under this type of scenario, Ohakim however said that he has set up audit committees for the state civil service and local government councils.

"Most of our educational institutions are in dilapidated state. We have 1,200 public primary schools, 312 senior secondary schools and 315 junior secondary schools that require rehabilitation", Ohakim fumed.

According to the Governor, the state has 6,458 teachers, 128 doctors with only four consultants in the whole state, stressing that health institutions are in sorry state.

Nigeria's Hidden HIV Crisis

A patient has blood drawn for a HIV speed test in Benue state, Nigeria. Photo by: Kristian Buus / STARS Foundation / CC BY-NC-ND via DEVEX

BY PAUL ADEPOJU

OWERRI, NIGERIA (DEVEX) — The myth about homosexuality in Nigeria goes thus: You are most likely to be gay if you are the youngest child and the only male child in the family. The odds are also increased if you attended a boarding school or Catholic seminary.

John does not belong to any of these groups. He has five siblings — four boys and one girl. He says he always knew he was attracted to men, in a country where homosexuality remains illegal. He is also HIV positive.

Like the 19 other HIV-positive gay men who spoke to Devex in Nigeria’s southeastern city of Owerri, John — whose name has been changed to protect his identity — only feels safe at home, and among those they refer to as fellow “CMs,” or community members. In the outside world, John and the rest of the group regularly suffer discrimination and physical attacks.

Though “sodomy” was already outlawed in Nigeria, the government introduced a law in 2014 that made homosexuality a crime punishable by up to 14 years in jail, or even death in parts of northern Nigeria that operate under Sharia law. Nonetheless, John said he knows at least 80 CMs in his city alone, and that there are undoubtedly many more who fly under the radar.

UNAIDS’ 2018 report showed that although gay men represent the smallest “key” target population for HIV services in Nigeria, at a little over 26,000 people, they account for the highest prevalence rate. Almost a quarter of them are thought to be HIV positive, compared with other key populations such as sex workers at 14.4 percent and people who inject drugs at 3.4 percent.

While this data is available, the enforced secrecy around the group means its reliability is limited. In Nigeria, UNAIDS has reported the number of gay men and other men who have sex with men at exactly 26,014 for two years running, which public health experts described as highly unusual. Some believe that HIV rates among this community are much higher than official figures suggest.

Despite the criminalization of homosexuality, health professionals in Nigeria are allowed to provide care. Advocates say that many practitioners are not aware of this, however, and also lack training in how to support gay patients or create a safe environment for them at clinics. In practice, this means that many HIV positive gay men do not have access to testing and treatment.

Onyekachi Onumara, who works for an NGO trying to tackle the issue, said that “while the national prevalence for HIV is less than 4 percent, it is as high as 30 percent among the gay population. In a month, I see at least 20 new cases [at the NGO’s specialist clinic] even though they rarely see up to 5 monthly at the major HIV centers across the country. There is a serious HIV crisis among Nigeria’s gay population that we cannot continue to ignore.”
Safe spaces

Onumara is a senior officer at the Owerri-based Rural Health Foundation, an NGO that trains health care providers on working with the gay community in Imo state and helps members gain access to treatment centers. Several similar projects are operated elsewhere in the country.

Part of the problem is that the emphasis on condom use in Nigeria is often around avoiding unintended pregnancy, Onumara explained, leading to a lack of understanding about their role in protecting from sexually transmitted infections. According to UNAIDS data, men who have sex with men are the key population with the lowest proportion of condom users at 51 percent, compared with 98.1 percent among sex workers.

As gay men are usually reluctant to come forward, RHF’s outreach relies on contact tracing — targeting those who may be at risk because of a relationship with an existing patient — and the ability of peer educators to identify fellow CMs.

John learned about his HIV status when a partner invited him to one of the peer sessions, after suspecting his wart-like growths could be caused by the human papillomavirus, a risk factor for HIV. He was offered testing, which came back positive, and has been receiving treatment since.

John and the other men who spoke to Devex emphasized that without the existence of a gay-friendly safe haven, they would never have gone for testing, nor commenced and adhered to the treatment.

RHF — which uses a combination HIV prevention strategy known as Minimum Prevention Package Intervention, advocated by the Nigerian government — has so far reached 500 CMs since 2015. Of those, 287 have been tested for HIV, of whom 115 tested positive, 87 were referred for treatment, and 67 completed referrals. The group says it struggled in its early stages, when CMs who tested positive for HIV refused to go to the hospitals they were referred to for treatment, fearing a hostile environment.

With no secure funding stream, however, it is unclear how long RHF will be able to keep running the program.

Devex contacted Nigeria’s Agency for the Control of Aids to comment on the issues in this story, and was directed to the country’s National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2017-2021. This document promises to promote HIV testing among gay men; foster an enabling environment for gay men to access HIV services; and strengthen interventions targeted at reducing stigma and discrimination. It indicates the government’s support for the integration of gay men into the country’s HIV program.

But advocates say the reality is different, with problems often centering on making HIV clinics and their staff accommodating and welcoming of gay men.

Obinna Akamnonu, program coordinator of the Heart-to-Heart Clinic at Imo Specialists Hospital in Owerri, is one of the very few health professionals in Nigeria who have received training on working with gay community members. He told Devex that health care practitioners can often be the greatest obstacle to the emergence of safe spaces at hospitals.

“I had to restructure everything at my clinic. To make the community members comfortable and not feel they are being judged, I had to cut out some time-wasting protocols. I am the one that has direct conversations with them whenever they come for consultation and treatment,” he said.

One CM receiving treatment told Devex he would not have gone to a clinic that hadn’t received training. “Most people in the society do not really understand us,” he said. “They see us as sinners and devil incarnates … If it is not a desensitized environment, I wouldn’t go there for treatment.”

Onumara and Akamnonu believe the prevalence rate in the community is underestimated, and said that HIV-positive gay men are dying because they cannot access treatment.

“In the last four months, I’ve attended the burial of three community members,” Onumara said.
Need for integrated services

None of the men who spoke to Devex had told their family about their sexuality. Under heavy pressure, many are willing to marry women and have children to avoid suspicion.

For health care professionals, this is further reason why it is essential to integrate their care into the national HIV program. “Some of them are married to women who are not aware of their sexuality and HIV status,” and would have no reason to think they should go for testing themselves, said Onumara.

Akamnonu expressed frustration with the short-term nature of programs targeted at key populations in Nigeria, due to their reliance on foreign funds.

“The projects targeting [men who have sex with men] should be well integrated into existing programs and not be seen as a standalone initiative,” he said.

RHF’s outreach program was supported as a subrecipient of the Global Fund’s New Funding Model for most at-risk populations. The project ran from 2015-2017, but has not been renewed, nor integrated into the country’s national HIV program.

“The project has been suspended. The key population’s access to condoms and lubricants was stopped in January 2018,” Onumara told Devex.

For now, the peer sessions that have helped reach HIV-positive gay men and refer them for treatment are running on the generosity of caregivers at facilities attached to the hospital, but without new funding, they could soon end.

A spokesperson for the Global Fund told Devex that Nigeria’s initial application for renewal of the grant was not approved by its Technical Review Panel, but that the funding request has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting a decision.

Ultimately, Akamnonu would like to see the creation of a one-stop shop for HIV testing and treatment, for all patients, that would avoid unnecessary delays. He called for a government-driven inclusive program, and said it is time for the country’s leaders to come to terms with the burgeoning HIV crisis among the group.

“We cannot keep ignoring the population and denying it exists,” he said. “They are our fathers. They are our uncles. They are our brothers. They are our priests.”

IMO POLITICS: Madumere Emerges Owerri Zone Consensus Guber Aspirant

Eze Madumere image via The Nigerian Voice

BY KENNETH NWOKE

OWERRI (THE NIGERIAN VOICE)--The leadership of All Progressives Congress, Imo State popularly known as the Coalition group led by Dr. Hillary Eke, rising from a meeting, this evening at the Senator Osita Izunso’s country home in Oru-West Local Government area of Imo State, unanimously adopted His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, as the consensus governorship candidate from Owerri zone.

However, the party also looked at the area of avoiding aspirants with baggage and other areas that boarder on integrity, acceptability and capacity.

The APC leaders took the decision after serious considerations of the pedigree of the array of aspirants from the zone.

Adopting a democratic procedure, the selection was done through a voting process where Chairmen of the party drawn from 9 local government areas of the State participated. At the second session, 10 State Executive members voted. Among the Coalition aspirants involved in the election process were Prince Eze Madumere, Jude Ejiogu and Commodore Peter Gbujie (rtd).

Among the party Chairmen, 6 of them from Ikeduru, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Mbaitoli, Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu and Ngor Okpala local government areas of the State voted for Prince Madumere. In the same manner, Sir Jude Ejiogu scored 2 votes from Owerri North and Owerri west Local Government areas. Meanwhile, Commodore Peter Gbujie scored 1 vote from Owerri Municipal Council.

During the second session of the election, which involved 9 members of the State Officers drawn from Owerri zone, Prince Madumere scored 8 votes out of 9 while Sir Ejiogu socred 1. Chief Clement Anozie popularly known as Omeremba was the Coordinator of the electioneering process. Among members of State Exco that voted were Canice Amadi, barr. Charles Mbakwe, Chief ACB Nkwopara, Barr. Charles Jaja. Others were Ukaegbu, Onyekachi, Mrs. Nwigwe, Elagamba. However, Dr. Hilary Eke did not vote. Barr. Chima Anozie was also found around Osita Izunaso’s resident for an undisclosed reason.

Meanwhile Hope Uzodinma emerged Orlu zone consensus governorship aspirant.

Owerri Women: IPOB Declares Sept 14 Sit At Home In the S/East, Other Places

Image via Oracle News

OWERRI (THE ORACLE)--The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared September 14, 2018 as a day of total sits at home in the southeast geopolitical zone and other places where Igbo people reside in Nigeria and the world over. This was contained in a statement issued by IPOB Director of Media and Publicity.

The Sit at Home order according to Powerful is a result of ongoing campaign of ethnic and religious persecution, genocide and humiliation of the people of Biafra in general and Igbo people in particular by this Buhari regime, culminating in the abominable incarceration of innocent mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers in Owerri prisons.

“Following the incarceration of innocent mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers in Owerri prisons among other reasons
we the do hereby declare 14 September 2018 a day of general strike, mourning and resistance across Biafraland” he said

He noted that the inhabitants of South East/South South and all conscientious Biafrans living in other parts of Nigeria and the world are required to stay indoors away from work or daily business activities throughout the day of the 14th of September 2018 to register our anger and protest regarding the men and women killed at Afaraukwu in Umuahia during Operation Python Dance II on September 14 last year, those killed in Ngwa, Aba, Igweocha (Port Harcourt) and buried in unmarked mass graves as a result of unprovoked military invasion of Biafraland by the Nigerian Army.

He continued, “We shall also remember all those killed in the struggle for the restoration of Biafra independence since August 2015 when the army shot dead Mr Okafor in Onitsha on a peaceful march from Nkpor to Onitsha main town. Their sacrifice will neither be forgotten nor will it be in vain, because come what may, this generation of IPOB must and will restore Biafra.

“The sacrilegious and disgraceful humiliation of Igbo women, some of them great grand-mothers, ranks as one of the most abominable act of desecration ever visited upon the land of Biafra in recorded history. It will mark the defining event that completed the shame and humiliation of the Igbo race. The cowardice and impotency of Igbo socio-political and cultural leadership in the face of such humiliation by a single Fulani police officer in Owerri is confirmation, if one is needed, that South East and South South regions are conquered territories and vassal colonies of the Sokoto caliphate.

“Nationwide general strike observed as a sit-at-home across Biafraland on the 14th of September 2018, is the only way we Biafrans can honour our fallen brethren and legitimately remind our northern oppressors and their collaborators in our midst that enough is enough! We do not want another Operation Python Dance or another mass murder of Biafra agitators and humiliation of our mothers in our land. Biafraland we state categorically must emerge a free nation under God, whether our enemies like it or not.

“What happened at Afaraukwu; the desecration of house of a traditional ruler, the slaughter of innocent men and women: the wholesale massacre along the Ngwa segment of Enugu-Igweocha (Port Harcourt) Expresswa, countless number of mass graves across Biafraland, is repulsive, inhumane, barbaric and worthy of total condemnation by all right thinking people. We wait the day United Nations and other world bodies will give the issue of Biafra the same level of prominence it is giving Rhohingya.

“All businesses, offices, markets, schools and road transportation will be shut down for 24 hours from midnight of the 13th of September. There will be no human or vehicular movement across Biafraland. People are expected to stay at home to pray for the soul of the brave and reflect upon the bondage our land is under.

“Any person or persons seen outside on the 14th of September 2018 will be classed as an enemy of the people because only collaborators in Ohaneze and South East Governors Forum that instigated Operation Python Dance and encouraged the army to kill unarmed innocent IPOB agitators will dare challenge this directive.

“As well as honouring our heroes that died in Afaraukwu a year ago and other places in Biafraland, 14 September 2018 shall expose who the saboteurs undermining the freedom of Biafra truly are.

NIGERIA: Imo Pharmacists Council Seals Off 45 Pharmacies, 386 Patent Medicine Stores

Image via Pharma Times, Nigeria

BY CHARLES OGUGBUAJA

OWERRI, IMO (THE GAURDIAN)--For operating below standard, the authorities of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), have sealed off 431 pharmacies, other medicine outlets in Imo State.The Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs. Anthonia O. Aruya, made the disclosure at the weekend, after the enforcement exercise in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.She said 522 premises, comprising 103 pharmacies and 419 other medicine selling outlets, were visited during the monitoring and inspection exercise.

Aruya, accompanied by a Deputy Director of the council, Stephen Esumobi, another pharmacist, Shiihii Solomon and others, stressed that as a Federal Government agency regulating, educating and training and practice of Pharmacy as enshrined in the Decree 91 of 1992, now known as Nigeria Act Cap P17, LFN, 2004, ensuring quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, said: “This is the 27th state the Council is visiting so far. Various parts of the state were visited during this period.

Meanwhile, 13 pharmacies were given compliance directives for various offences, ranging from improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic environment and poor documentation, dispensing ethical /prescription drugs without the presence of a pharmacist.

“The general public is advised to source its drug needs from registered Patent and Prioprietary Medicine Vendor (PPMV) shops for over the counter drugs as drugs in unregistered outlets cannot be guaranteed to be genuine.”Aruya, expressed worry over what she saw in Imo State, disclosing that legal action would be taken against offenders where necessary.

Court Restrains Okorocha From Developmental Work On Ekeukwu Market.

Okorocha Image via Ripples

OWERRI (RIPPLES NIGERIA)--Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has been ordered not to begin any developmental work on Ekeukwu Owerri Market.

The order was handed to him on Wednesday by the State High Court presided over by Justice Kemakolam A. Ojiako.

The judge said that he gave the restraining order having read through the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction dated and filed February 7, 2018, the 31-paragraph affidavit deposed by the plaintiffs/applicants, the counter affidavit filed February 23, 2018, as well as the adoption of arguments by counsel on both sides.

He said, “The defendants by themselves, their servants, agents, officers and/or hirelings, are restrained from, in whatsoever manner, entering into, building, developing, constructing or carrying out any developmental activity or works, on the subject matter of this suit, that is, Ekeukwu Owerri Market, situate in Owerri, pending the hearing and determination of this suit.”

Earlier, counsel to the plaintiffs, Prince Ken C. O. Njemanze, SAN, had argued that on September 9, 2016, that an interim order was issued by “this honourable court, restraining the defendants from demolishing, destroying, removing and interfering with the subject matter of this suit”.

But he said that on August 26, 2017, that Imo State government under Okorocha “in brazen disobedience of the said order, the defendants with their servants, officers, agents, soldiers, policemen and armed militia and thugs entered and destroyed Ekeukwu Owerri Market.”

He added, “The defendants, their servants and/or agents, recently started excavating the land in dispute and adjoining land, preparatory to erecting or building structures thereon”.

According to Njemanze, the defendants will alter the character of the land in contention if not restrained by the court.

The matter was subsequently fixed for June 7, 2018, for pre-trial Conference in the suit HOW/380/2016.