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Imo Politics: Untold Story of Senator Onyewuchi’s Defection

July 26, 2024

Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuch and Samuel Anyanwu -SamDaddyi

By Enyinnanya Ubochi, Owerri

On the floor of the Senate, Tuesday, July 22nd, 2024, Senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC were visibly elated as Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, representing Owerri zone ( Imo East Senatorial District) on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, switched parties and announced his defection to the APC.

In the presence of Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who came to witness the defection, Senator Onyewuchi told his colleagues that he decided to turn coat as a result of the crisis plaguing his former party. While APC Senators applauded and back slapped, they probably didnt know that their new catch was not telling them the whole truth about his defection.

Senator Onyewuchi, for example, didn’t tell his colleagues that his defection was conditioned by the dynamics of Imo politics. He didnt tell them that realignment of political forces preparatory to the next Imo Gubernatorial election was at the heart of his abandonment of LP for APC.

He didn’t also disclose to his fellow Senators that former Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s impending announcement of his membership of the LP also played a huge role in his exit from the party.

Governor Uzodinma, the third democratically elected Governor to be produced by Orlu zone( Imo West Senatorial district) since the return of democracy in 1999 has consistently spoken about his commitment to ensuring that his successor emerge from Owerri zone and this magazine has been informed by multiple sources that Senator Onyewuchi’s defection fits into the Governor’s desire for an Owerri successor.

The Senator, it was further learnt, is being positioned by the Governor as his likely successor to pull the rug off the feets of former Governor Ihedioha and the National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Sam Anyanwu(he represented Imo East in the Senate) who are already consulting and strategizing for the next Imo guber contest.

Originally a PDP Senator, Onyewuchi was one of the beneficiaries of the Peter Obi effect in the 2023 elections as he effortlessly returned to the Senate on the platform of LP having been denied the PDP return ticket following the total take over of the party’s structures in Imo state by Senator Anyanwu who would later contest and lost the November 2023 guber election in the state.

Former Governor Ihedioha who was also schemed out of the Imo PDP structures by Senator Anyanwu has since left the party but is yet to officially announce his defection to the LP. Ihedioha is reportedly oiling his political machinery to stage a return to office on the platform of the LP, his tenure having been cut short by the Supreme judgement of January 14th, 2020 which enthroned Governor Uzodinma. Governor Uzodinma,The Source was informed, is convinced that Senator Onyewuchi, contesting on the APC ticket and aided by the power of party incumbency and Federal might, will easily overwhelm the duo of Ihedioha and Senator Anyanwu and emerge victorious.

“Politics is about calculations and correctly reading the barometer and I can tell you that His Excellency, Governor Uzodinma, being a master strategist in the game of politics, has correctly read the barometer of Imo politics.

“What is looming is an all-Owerri zone gubernatorial contest- remember that the two major likely gladiators in the next Imo election- Senator Anyanwu and former Governor Ihedioha- are both from Owerri zone, and so, APC fielding a candidate from the same zons who had variously been a member of PDP and LP means that the votes of both parties will be divided in favour of the APC candidate”, a Chieftain of Imo APC and loyalist of the Governor Uzodinma who preferred anonymity told the Magazine.

Further making a permutation of how Imo’s next governorship election could pan out, he said: “In the same vein, Ihedioha and Anyanwu will practically be contesting against each other because supporters of both parties are PDP members as LP lacks structures and independent support base in Imo.

“What this means is that while the APC will have its votes intact, PDP and LP will have their votes which ought to be a single chunk of vote split between them”

Meanwhile, the camp of Senator Anyanwu has dismissed the notion that the PDP candidate in the November 2023 gubernatorial election is already preparing for the next election.

Said a member of his campaign team: “For your information, Sam Daddy( as Senator Anyanwu’s supporters and admirers affectionately call him) won last November’s election but was brutally rigged out by the APC and its rigging machine. We are in court to reclaim our mandate and we are convinced we shall prevail.We cannot therefore, be talking of the next election when we are on the verge of reclaiming our mandate”

Obi Mourns Iwuanyanwu, Says He Was A Bridge Builder

The Source

July 26, 2024

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has described the death of the Ohanaeze President General Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as shocking and said he was a bridge builder who would be remembered for so many positives.

Obi writing on his X handle said “I am greatly disheartened by the death of an elder statesman and President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. “The devastating reports of his death have left all who knew him heartbroken.

“He was not just a father to many, but a bridge builder who remained committed to the peaceful coexistence of the nation. He was undoubtedly a deeply patriotic Nigerian whose desire for justice, equity, progress and development of the nation transcended tribal boundaries.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was one of those revered father figures who have always given me useful advice. I recall visiting him at the hospital, on the 11th of this month with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Okey Emuchey. He promised me that he would soon be alright, to continue with his contributions to the progress of the nation. Since then, I continued to pray for his quick and full recovery, till I received the sad news of his death.

“I sincerely condole with his immediate family, the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the entire nation over the death of this revered patriarch. May God grant us all the fortitude to bear his sad loss and grant him eternal rest.

Obaseki’s Legacy Projects Target Of Attack By APC – Edo PDP Media Aides Raise Alarm

Ayodele Oni

July 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Media Aides of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state have alleged plans by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to destroy public infrastructures while hiding under the planned nationwide protest.

The Deputy Director-General, Media and Publicity of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Olu Martins raised the alarm of an impending attacks on Edo government critical infrastructure and legacy projects by suspected thugs recruited by the opposition party in the state

Briefing newsmen in Benin, on Thursday, Martins said the intelligence gathered has exposed the plans by the opposition party to attack and destroy the state government infrastructure particularly the State Civil Service Secretariat Complex and the Benin City Mall, which are legacy projects of the Obaseki-led government.

He called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and other security agencies to beef up security around the facilities to forestall break down of law and order as recorded last Thursday in Benin city, the Edo State capital.

Martins claimed that the Obaseki led PDP government is not unmindful of the planned attack on the critical infrastructure by the opposition party under the guise of the proposed nationwide hunger protest in Nigeria.

According to him, the state is on the twilight of an election, and the opposition has a clandestine and evil agenda to burn down government properties, especially legacy projects built by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“We have it on credible information that the plan is to attack the Benin City Mall and the Edo Civil Service Secretariat Complex and a couple of other infrastructure . The plan is to destroy and burn the property. “

He said the infrastructure being targeted by the opposition party belongs to Edo people and not Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“We are bringing this to the notice of Edo people and the Media so that the security agencies can be on red alert. Everybody must be on red alert. Because we have noticed that the opposition party have not bothered themselves about what they will do for Edo people. The sound bite that you hear on a daily basis are the ones that come from Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and they are progressives .

“Those facilities we talked about were built with taxpayers’ money and not with Obaseki’s money. Edo people need to know this is the plan of the opposition party. And we would not sit down and watch them destroy what we built with Edo people taxes.” Martins said.

On his part, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said the planned attack on government facilities is a ploy by the opposition to get the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Edo after the nationwide protest.

Nehikhare, who called on the Edo State Police Commissioner, Funsho Adegboye, said the thugs recruited to cause chaos in the state are known criminal elements walking freely in the state.

“We want the police to arrest the thugs. The police know those who are known thugs and who are capable of causing chaos in the state. some of them recently left the PDP.

“The thugs are planning to cause violence and destroy critical infrastructure by taking advantage of the August 1 nationwide protest.

“We call on Police and security agencies to nip the impending attack on our freedom in the bud.

“Want the federal government to act quickly by arresting them for the crime they are plotting to commit.” Nehikhare said.

Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie said that the opposition proponents in Edo are moving to cause mayhem and, in the process, make a case for a state of emergency.

He said the nationwide hunger protest tagged ‘EndBadgovernance in Nigeria’ is another ploy to attack Edo people and public facilities in the state.

”The opposition wants to create crisis and cause controversies with a view to intimidate Edo people and discourage people from participating in the September governorship election in Edo.”

Abuja Businessman Kidnapped In Kano, Abductor Intercepted In Kaduna

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 25, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kaduna State Police Command said it has aborted the abduction of Mohammed Goni Jidda, an Abuja based automobile dealer.

The victim was rescued by police operatives who intercepted one of his abductors on their way from Kano through Kaduna to Abuja.

He was kidnapped at a hotel in Kano by about five abductors on July 23,2024.

However, one of the abductors together with the victim were intercepted by a team of police operatives attached to the Sabon Gari police formation in Zaria on their way to Abuja.

A statement issued on Thursday July 25 , by the Spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan. ASP. said that the curiosity of the Operatives who were on a routine patrol, were aroused by the suspicious sitting arrangements of the occupants of the vehicle in which the abductors were conveying their victim.

The swift action of the Operatives led to the rescue of the victim and subsequent arrest of one of the suspected abductors.

“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the suspects arrived in Kano from Maiduguri to kidnap the victim, a resident of FCT Abuja, who had come to Kano for a business endeavour.

“Equally, the suspects had since contacted the victim’s close associates and demanded a large sum of money as ransom before the police intervened.

“The rescued victim and the arrested suspect will soon be handed over to the Kano State Police Command where the kidnapping occurred.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command CP, A D Ali, lauded the Police Officers vigilant efforts and warned criminals to stay away from Kaduna State due to the Police Command’s uncompromising security measures”, the statement partly reads.

Kano: Court Sacks Anti-Corruption Commission Boss

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 25, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Chairman of Kano State Anti-Graft Commission, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado has been sacked from office.

Justice Simon Amobeda of a Federal High Court sitting in Kano, gave the order on Thursday July 25 2024, prior to delivering judgement in a suit filed against the embattled Boss of the State Anti Corruption Agency by two aggrieved kano citizens Muhammad Garo and Mustapha.

Other defendants in the fundamental rights suit include the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Haruna Dederi, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and three others.

The presiding Judge, also, urged the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, to carry out a comprehensive inquest into the Anti Corruption Chairman’s penchant for disobedience of Court rulings.

Justice Amobeda held that going by an earlier ruling by a Court of competent jurisdiction, Rimin Gado was not supposed to continue in office.

The Source reports that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, had earlier in the year suspended the Kano State anti- graft Agency Chairman from office .

The suspension order was sequel to his arraignment before the CCT, over alleged corruption, conflict of interest, refusal to submit a written asset declaration document, false declaration of assets and gross abuse of office.

The CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, noted that it will not be right for the Anti Graft Agency’s Chairman to continue to discharge his duties, while his trial is ongoing.

He maintained that the suspension became necessary to prevent any official interference with the trial.

However, Rimin Gado has continued to hold sway at the Kano state Anti Corruption Agency, ignoring the CCT order.

The suspension order was in April 2024, similarly affirmed by a Federal High Court sitting in Kano,which held that by virtue of the CCT order, Rimin Gado can no longer continue to preside over the affairs of the Kano State Anti Corruption Commission.

Consequently, Justice Amobeda, ordered the Kano State Government and the State Attorney General to remove Rimin Gado from office in compliance with the CCT suspension order.

Meanwhile, Justice Amobeda has issued an interlocutory order restraining the Kano State Anti Corruption Commission, security agencies and or their privies from arresting, investigating intimidating, and/ or harassing the applicants in the fundamental rights suit (Garo and Mustapha).

The Court also ordered the defendants to pay the applicants the sum of N10 million as cost for assassination of character, and bringing of their reputation into disrepute .

The applicants had approached the Court following attempts to arrest them over alleged connivance with a former Kano State top Government Official to misappropriate public funds through their business outfits.

LAHA Lawmakers Appeal To Youths To Shelve Planned Protest, Urges Sanwo-Olu To Organize Stakeholders’ Meeting

Akinwale Kasali

July 25, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, during plenary session, called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to, as a matter of urgency, take major steps to avert the planned nationwide protest in the State.

Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams had , in a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ noted the devastating effect of the #EndSARS protest of 2020 in Lagos. He called on the Governor to organise townhall meetings with major stakeholders to fashion out ways to calm the youths and those who plan to support proposed protest.

One of the meetings, according to the motion of the House, should be held between the Governor and elected political leaders including Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Lawmakers while a second meeting should be held with Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Heads of markets, those in the transport sectors and related stakeholders.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, said it was necessary for state Governments to do the needful to calm frayed nerves and ensure protection of lives and property.

He said Lagos was still grappling with the impact of the #EndSARS protest just as he appealed to the youth to be patient with the Government of President Bola Tinubu that is making effort to see a better Nigeria that would benefit the citizens.

He noted that Kenya is currently in a terrible situation adding that the crises in Sudan and Syria started in the same manner.

Commending the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, for meeting with Community Heads over the planned protest, Obasa called for an urgent meeting with all leaders, including religious, traditional and related organisations in the state for discussion that would help dissuade the Youths from engaging in the protest.

Hon. Adams, representing Eti-Osa 1 Constitency drew the attention of his colleagues to the planned protest.

“I want to plead with our people to shelve this protest,” he said noting that President Tinubu had shown that he is ready to listen to the citizens, especially as he has raised the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.

On his part, Hon. Kehinde Joseph expressed worry that the proposed protesters do not have leaders who can be discussed with.

He urged for patience stressing that whatever is happening in the country “affects us all.”

Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh said President Tinubu understands the problem in Nigeria and was taking the right steps against the country’s collapse.

He also urged Nigerians to start focusing on governors because federal allocations to states have grown under the President.

Other lawmakers who spoke during the debates urged parents to persuade their wards from joining the protest or allowing themselves to be used to commit crimes.

Ondo Polytechnic Workers Appeal To Gov Aiyedatiwa Over Six Months Salary Arrears, N30,000 Minimum Wage

Ayodele Oni

July 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, (RUGIPO) branch has appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to complete payment of six months salary arrears owed the workers.

Aiyedatiwa had approved payment of three out of the six months owed the workers.

The union also pleaded for the implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage for the workers.

The workers union identified non payment of salary as one out of myriads of problems confronting the polytechnic.

“It is on record that the Polytechnic is faced with myriad of problems ranging from shortage and decay infrastructure, delayed staff promotions, prolonged academic session as a result of frequent misunderstanding between Management and Unions on campus over staff welfare and in particular, on irregular payment of salary, just to mention a few.

“The myriad of problems confronting the Polytechnic predated the emergence of His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as the Executive Governor of our dear Sunshine State.

“However, within the little time he acted as Acting Governor of Ondo State in 2023, he graciously approved payment of three months out of the then outstanding 13 months salary arrears.

“Rufus Giwa Polytechnic,Owo, being the oldest tertiary Institution in the State has had its own fair share of problem of funding.

“The dichotomy between University and Polytechnic Certificate had its impact on the Institution coupled with mal-administration of successive Governing Council which had only come to take without any tangible contributions to the growth and development of the Polytechnic.

“The foregoing predicaments was further compounded by the irregular payment of workers salary as and when due.

“The regime of percentage payment did a calculated damage to the Polytechnic due to constant skirmish between Management and Labour Unions resulting to incessant strike actions and unnecessary prolonged academic sessions.

“All these became a thing of the past immediately His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa assumed office as Governor of the State.

“In his magnanimity, he graciously approved a further payment of three months salary out of the outstanding 9 months arrears and put an end to the institutionalized regime of percentage payment in the Polytechnic.”

In a statement signed by Saka-Olokungboye, Chairman and Olanitori Olayemi, Secretary, they stated that “Our appeal to Mr. Governor is to kindly complete what he started by defraying the remaining six months outstanding salary arrears .

“In addition to the aforestated, it is also necessary to intimate the Governor that it is only workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo that are still collecting N18,000 as minimum wage in the state.

“It is also Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo only that is yet to effect the 25/35% increment for workers of Tertiary Institutions in the State.

“We are aware that Ondo State Government will soon start the implementation of the new National minimum wage of N70,000 only to its workers including staff of the Polytechnic.

“Before this implementation, SSANIP humbly wishes to passionately appeal to our amiable Governor and Visitor to our Institution His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to beautify the good work he has started in the Polytechnic by paying the outstanding six months salary owed staff of the Polytechnic.”

DSS Says Those Behind Nationwide Protest Are Coup Plotters, Itching Towards Change Of Government

Ayodele Oni

July 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted that there are sinister plans to infiltrate the planned nationwide protest by some people.

The Secret Service pointed out that this could lead to chaos and extreme violence in the Country.

DSS, in a statement on Thursday, by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya stated that the main aim of the organizers, who are yet to be identified, is to use the protest to pitch people against government.

The statement: “The Department of State Services has followed the discourse on planned protests in parts of the country in the coming weeks by persons and groups yet to identify themselves in the public as leaders of the plot.

“While peaceful protest is a democratic right of citizens, the Service has confirmed a sinister plan by some elements to infiltrate the protest and use it to cause chaos and extreme violence in the land.

“It has also identified the reason behind the protest to be political. The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses.

“The long term objective is to achieve a regime change especially at the Centre.

“The Service has also identified, among others, the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of the plot. However, it does not think that aggression should be the first line action in the instance, in handling the emerging scenario.

“It has instead, variously applied non kinetic and conflict resolution strategies, including moral suasion, stakeholder engagement and other multi-track diplomatic shuttles, to dissuade the planners from actualising their undesirable objective.

“Based on the foregoing, the Service wishes to warn all the protest groups to eschew any form of proposed rage, anarchy and spoliation.

“While the different levels of Government have routinely explained their agenda to ameliorate alleged harsh economic conditions, the Service urges the prospective protesters to listen to the voice of reason, good conscience and patiently engage with the authorities, in the interest of peace.

“This has become important given that violence begets destruction of lives and property as well as serve as a distraction to governance. The agitators are encouraged to use ample ways available to them to channel their grievances without resorting to violence.

“The Service calls on people of goodwill, Leaders of Thought, Captains of Industry, Labour Unions, Student Associations, Youth Leaders, the Civil Society, Clergy, NGOs, Women groups, Civil Servants and Politicians to shun any invitation to participate in any orchestrated violence, deliberately designed to cause disaffection in the country.

“Similarly, Parents, Guardians, Heads of traditional and academic institutions are respectively urged to advise their children, wards, subjects and students not to take part in the planned protest.

“Let us all join hands to build a Nation without rancour, bitterness or stained banner. The Service will work with other sister Security and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace. It will, where necessary, apply all legitimate methods to achieve this.

Iwuanyanwu, President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Dies, Ndigbo Mourn

Ayodele Oni

July 25, 2024

Emmanuel-Iwuanyanwu - Ohanaeze President

By Ayodele Oni

Ndigbo at home and in diaspora are in mourning mood following the passage of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu.

This was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Jide Iwuanyanwu, the first son of the late Chief Iwuanyanwu

According to the statement, the 82-year-old Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday after a brief illness.

“The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr. Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu, before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.”

Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren, among whom is Dr (Mrs) Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, an entrepreneur and MD/CEO of the Champion Group of Newspapers founded by his now late father.

The statement stated that the burial details will be announced later by the family after due consultations.

Ondo University Moves To Address Security Lapses, Launches More Patrols On Campuses

Ayodele Oni

July 25, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Following incessant killings of students at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) in Ondo State, the Management of the Institution has assured parents not to entertain fear about safety of their wards.

The Management, in a statement, stated that it has taken some measures including the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to enhance the patrol of the campus and surrounding communities.

Some unidentified gunmen had struck at Akungba Akoko in Ondo state, killing a 300-level Linguistics student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, (AAU), simply identified as Emmanuel.

The deceased was said to be a resident of one of the private students’ hostels in the town.

The Management of the University in a statement stated: “Dear Students and Parents,

In light of the recent security concerns in the Akungba Akoko community, the management of Adekunle Ajasin University wishes to assure our students and parents that the institution is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students, both on campus and in the surrounding host communities.

“The management recognizes the seriousness of the prevailing security situation around Akungba community and the impact it has had on our students’ sense of security.

“The University has taken proactive steps to address these issues in collaboration with relevant security authorities.

“We have requested the immediate deployment of additional security personnel, to enhance the patrol of the campus and surrounding communities.

“This increased presence aims to deter criminal activities and apprehend suspected criminal elements.

“The University is also working closely with the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to develop a coordinated response to the security challenges.

“Regular meetings and dialogues are being held and strategies developed to ensure that all parties are aligned in their efforts to protect our students.

“Furthermore, we are fostering a stronger relationship with the host community through dialogue and collaboration.

“By involving community leaders and stakeholders, we aim to create a united front against crime and improve on the overall safety of our students and the community.

“Additional security measures are being implemented on campus, including more surveillance, improved lighting in critical areas, and regular security patrols to ensure a safe learning environment.

“In addition, we are actively engaging with the student body and paramilitary organisations on campus to promote safety awareness.

“Students are being encouraged to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities, and take advantage of available safety resources.

“We want to reassure that the safety of our students is our top priority. The University management is dedicated to creating a secure environment where students can focus on their studies without fear.

“We appreciate the cooperation and patience of our students and parents as we work diligently to address these issues. Your support and vigilance are vital in ensuring that our community remains safe.”

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