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Presidential Election: With Peter Obi, PDP Would Have Won – Bode George

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By Charles Igbo

Chief Bode George has bemoaned the mistakes and miscalculations and selfishness which cost the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  the 2023 Presidential Election.

George, a former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), concluded that when he addressed the Press in Lagos on Wednesday. He expressed the fears that the Party, which once paraded itself as the largest party in Africa, could go extinct like the All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP if some steps are not urgently taken by its leadership.

One of such steps, he said, is to embark on a post mortem to find out why a number of its important and influential members left the party. Using the 2023 Presidential Candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and that of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso as examples, George said the PDP should set up a Committee of trusted and respected and loyal members to travel the length and breadth of the Country, to find out why such people opted out of the PDP.

Chief George said a post mortem is necessary to also pin-point why the Party suffered a technical knock out in the 2023 General Elections.

“Imagine if Obi had not left, what would have happened. It would have been a walk over for us.”, he bemoaned.

He hinted that the fate which became the party was a product of selfishness, and submitted: “No one owns the PDP. So no one can claim ownership. This is not the time for selfish ambitions.  We need to save PDP from collapse.

Bode George: “We have to find out why the likes of Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso left the party and deal with the issues. Imagine if Obi had not left, what would have happened? It would have been a walk over for us. No one owns the PDP, so no one can claim ownership. This is not the time for selfish ambitions. We need to save PDP from collapse.

“It is human to make mistakes. When it happens like this, that we got an uppercut in the struggle for Nigeria, yes, the most sensible thing to do is to go back and do an in-depth analysis of what did we do wrong, and what did we do right, and then clean the Augean table and reposition the party for the future.

“There should be no short approach, sweeping everything under the carpet is a foolish way to do it. We must set up a committee that will go around the country, state by state, and make inquiries and understand what happened.

“How were the primaries conducted in each state? Who did what? Otherwise, what I am saying is that the party must conduct a meeting and we must set up a committee of very knowledgeable, loyal, dedicated and committed leaders to visit every state of the federation for their experiences, where they did well, we will know, where they didn’t do well, we will also know. So, they can bring the report and discuss it.

“We must have a solid opposition to put them (All Progressives Congress (APC)) on their toes, and as long as I live, in the next four years, that will be the role we are going to play. If everybody is telling the APC and the president, what you are doing is fantastic, you know, it is the noise makers who are saying what the president is doing is fine that will be the first to condemn the president when he is out of office.

“What I owe President Bola Tinubu now, forget about the differences between us, this nation must grow and when we are in the opposition, we must keep them (the APC government) on their toes for the good of our nation. That is the responsibility that I foresee as an opposition party.

“If there is no strong opposition the APC government will take this country on a journey ride, but when we give them constructive criticism, they will think twice before doing things, they will say before this party comes and slams us, let us consider all options, not a one-sided option.”

Recall that George had said he would leave Nigeria and go into self exile if the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, wins the Presidential Election. Tinubu has since May 29, 2023, been sworn-in as President, and Bode George is still in Nigeria. There has been no mention of going on self-exile since then.

Hamas: Israel Bows To US’ Pressure For Ceasefire

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Benjamin Netanyahu
The State of Israel has agreed to a four hour daily military ceasefire in Gaza to allow Palestinians fleeing the warthorn Northern Gaza to the south of the Strip.
It was learned that the United States government forced the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire, having earlier rejected same from other diplomatic quarters, on the basis that such would allow Hamas to regroup.
The US acted on pressure from Arab and European allies on the issue, diplomatic sources said on Thursday.
Recall that President Joe Biden had earlier pressed Israel to allow humanitarian materials to enter Gaza through Egypt.
 The US,  Israel’s strongest backer had earlier agreed with the country that the terrorists group could capitalised on a ceasefire to rearm.
Speaking on Thursday, John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesperson stated that the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government has agreed to a military operations to allow civilian a smooth passage to the other side of the Gaza strip.
Kiby said: “We’ve been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas throughout the pause and that this process is starting today.”
The war, which started in October after Hamas fighters attacked Israel, from land an sea, killing civilians and soldiers, has claimed thousands lives on both sides.
Calls for  ceasefire have been rejected by Israel which has demanded the release of over 200 persons abducted by Hamas during the attack on its country early last month.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has been reduced to rubbles due to Israeli military bombardment.
The world has sued for peace on both sides, as the number of casualties, particularly women and children grow.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken on Thursday, countered the Israeli government’s plan to occupy Gaza after the war.
Prime Minister Netanyahu had earlier stated that Israel would remain an occupying power in Gaza post-war, to which the US government said no.

Nov. 11: “Our Candidates Are Leading”- PDP; Says Rigging Will Be Resisted 

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The People’s Democratic Party, PDP,  has urged the All Progressives Congress, APC, to forget any plan to rig the governorship election coming up this weekend.
Three states, Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are taking part in the off-season governorship election slated for November 11, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
 Analysts insist that the election is a two-horse rs e for the two major political parties, which have accused each other of trying to rig the make or mar election for Nigeria’s biggest political parties.
While the APC currently controls Imo and Kogi, the PDP is in firm control of Bayelsa, where tension is currently on the rise due to allegation that the ruling APC is planning to capture power at all cost.
But, the PDP says the APC should forget any plan to rig the gubernatorial election in the three states.
The party made this known in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Thursday.
The PDP has directed its supporters to ensure that they protect their votes to forestall rigging, adding that “anybody, no matter how highly placed” who tried to manipulate the election would incur the wrath of the people.
The party said recent polls indicate that its candidates in the three states are leading.
The statement read in part:  “Our Party restates that it will never allow anybody, no matter how highly placed to manipulate the electoral process in the governorship election in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.
“Our Party states in clear terms that anybody who attempts to rig or manipulate the election in any way may have to deal with the legitimate wrath of the people.
“The PDP specifically cautions Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and his puppet candidate, Usman Ododo, to accept their rejection by the people for their abysmal failure in government and get ready to concede defeat on Saturday.
“The PDP reaffirms that all indices from several Entrance Polls indicate that the PDP candidates are leading and will sweep the governorship election in the three States.
“Any electoral trajectory that does not reflect the clear tide of the Will of the people at the Polling Units will be firmly resisted.
“In Imo State, the PDP confirms that it has received messages and visits from many prominent Imo State citizens, including major industrialists and businessmen wherein they expressed their support for the PDP Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
“These prominent Imo citizens have also denied their reported support and donation of funds to the APC and its governorship candidate, Governor Hope Uzodimma.
“Of course, no well-meaning citizen of Imo State will lend support to Governor Hope Uzodimma whose administration has wrecked the economy of the State, brought untold hardship to the people and turned Imo State into a theatre of violence, killings and kidnapping.
“Our Party challenges Governor Uzodimma to make public the names of the Imo State citizens he claimed to have donated money to his campaign so that the people can identify the enablers of insecurity and hardship that his administration represents in the last three years.”

Rivers: Fubara Says “My Oga Remains My Oga,” As Wike Storms Port Harcourt

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By Ayodele Oni

There seems an end to the crisis between Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Nyesome Wike, over the control of the State.

Both met on Thursday in Port harcourt at a rededication ceremony for the state Judiciary 2023-2024 legal year during which Fubara affirmed his unwavering loyalty to Wike.

The Rivers State Governor called for peace in the oil-rich state once more and said that the current political turmoil in the state is history.

Rivers State can, according to Fubara, if the players and those who support them, behave peacefully.

“My oga remains my oga. Whatever that has happened is in the past. I have not sent anybody to malign anybody.”

In addition, the Governor issued a warning to those endorsing him to refrain from disparaging his opponents by using foul language, stating that he had given them no permission to do so.

According to him, in trying to attain development, the devil will always attack, but what is most important is to “identify the devil and push it out.”

It was the first time the two politicians, who were the major characters in the most recent political controversy would cross paths in the State’s public eye.

Crisis Looms, As Ogun Students Reject Tuition Fee Hike, Set For Mass Protest

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By Akinwale Kasali

There is brewing crisis in Ogun State as the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Ogun State Chapter, is set to embark on a mass protest following a hike in the tuition across all Tertiary Institutions in the State.

Over the past week, the Students have been lamenting the hike in their School Fees at a time the nation is going through economic crisis.

The Students alleged that the hike was targeted at forcing many of them out of school and making life difficult for them and their parents.

They urged the State Government to either reverse what they described as “abnormal and killing school fees” within four days or be ready for mass protest during when they would occupy the Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta until their requests are granted.

It would be recalled that students of the Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijebu-Ode had on Monday, protested the over 100% increase in their school fees, a development that has forced the school to shut down.

Speaking with Journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Thursday, the NANS chairman, Francis Adeyanju, kicked against what he described as an “abnormal” increment in the school fees of all the state-owned tertiary institutions.

The NANS Chairman threatened to shut down the State with mass protests if the Government fails to reverse the hiked school fees in the next four days.

Adeyanju who was flanked by the National President of the National Association of the State Students, Kehinde Mathew, described the increment in school fees as an attempt to prevent vulnerable and indigent students in the state from accessing affordable and qualitative education.

Expressing his displeasure, Matthew stated that the “insensitivity of the government towards the plights of students and development of education in the state”.

Adeyanju said, “It is no rumour that the government has almost abandoned tertiary education. This is evident in the current deplorable state of our campuses across the State. Our schools are now filled with decaying infrastructure, inadequate teaching and non-teaching staff, an unconducive learning environment and salaries of staff are being owed.

“Most pathetic is the recent hike in school fees across our tertiary institutions. This is unfair and unacceptable. At Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), returning students are now to pay N180,000 as against N76,500 per session, while new students are now to pay as much as N230,000.

“The school fees of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), have been jacked up from N62,000 to N120,000 for Science students, while nonscience students are to pay between N150,000 to N155,000 as against N55,000.

“For Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, the school fees were increased from N67,000 to N109,000 for indigenous students, while non-indigenous students are now to pay N124,000 as against N77,400. These are just a few examples of the abnormal increment in school fees of tertiary institutions in the State.

“There is no excuse for any government to increase school fees abnormally for whatsoever reason, in as much as we are concerned as progressive-minded Nigerian students’ leaders, we believe the government is at liberty to diversify and seek funds, but tertiary institutions should not be seen as an avenue to source for funds.

“Tertiary institutions should not be seen as an avenue to generate IGR, rather they should be seen as an avenue to prepare the youths for the future, for us to take our leadership positions.

“ We hereby give the Ogun State Government a four-day ultimatum to reverse all increments in state-owned institutions.

“If nothing is done at the expiration of the ultimatum, we will mobilise our students across the State and shut down the state in a mass protest until our demands are met”.

Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi Guber: DSS Warns Against Inflammatory Statements

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By Adesina Soyooye

Barely 48 hours to the off-circle elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States, the Department of State Services (DSS) has given a stern warning to individuals and groups against inflammatory statements.

The warning came as tension rose in the three States with groups and politicians making all kinds of allegations against officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and threatening fire and brimstone.

The DSS, also, warned individuals who may decide to engage in “illegitimate acts or conducts inimical to public order”,  that they “will be decisively dealt with as dictated by the law.”

The Service said it has observed “rising trends and patterns of incendiary comments by some personalities of influence and representatives of non-governmental entities within and outside the country.”

The DSS said such statements “run against public peace and harmony”, and therefore, urged key political players and their supporters in the  affected States to “conform to the rules of engagement and specifically the electoral laws to avert situations likely to undermine the processes.”

Peter Afunanya, the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Department of State Services National Headquarters, Abuja signed the statement.

According to Afunanya the Service has “substantially liaised with INEC, sister security agencies and relevant NGOs to ensure hitch-free exercises in the affected States.”

The statement reads in part:

“It is strongly believed that a resort to acerbic pronouncements by certain persons will not only heat the polity but set the ground for deep-seethed animosities and divisions among the populace. Also, it serves the country no good if its citizens, whether at home or abroad, demarket or subvert her through misleading and false narratives.

“Similarly, the Service urges key players and their supporters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States to conform to the rules of engagement and specifically the electoral law during the 11th November 2023 gubernatorial elections in the areas.

“However, individuals or groups that may decide to engage in illegitimate acts or inimical conducts to public order will be decisively dealt with as dictated by the law. Forewarned is forearmed.”

November 11 Governorship Polls In Three States: DHQ Alerts “There Are Fake Soldiers”

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By Ayodele Oni

The Defence Headquarters has said that it has uncovered plans by some persons to impersonate the Military by wearing its uniform during Saturday’s governorship election in three states.

It has, therefore, warned trouble makers to “stay away from the November 11 Governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa or face injurious consequences from the military.”

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the operations

of the armed forces  as regards the election on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the military is aware of plans by some individuals to dress in military uniform to disrupt the electoral processes in the three states on Saturday.

He said that “for the off season elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states this weekend, here is a message for those who planned to disrupt the process.

“We are aware of your plans to dress in military gear to misled the public. Be assured of injurious consequences should you proceed with those plans. We will not allow our image to be dragged to the mud. You’re warned.”

The director said the military is determined to give the elections the seriousness it deserves, adding that troops and platforms were being moved to locations to reinforce security already in place in those states.

He stated that security agencies are ready to identify and differentiate between real soldiers and the fake ones.

Buba explained that troops had continued to exert pressure on groups that sought to derail any progress toward peace and security in the country.

According to him, it is for these reason the military is inflicting severe damage on terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists through operations across the country.

He added that “accordingly, we are targeting their leadership, infrastructure and foot soldiers. The coordination between air and ground forces is like never seen before and yielding amazing results.

“We are expecting new platforms that would further enhance our capabilities to further root out terrorists and destroy their military capabilities.”

Kabiru Re-elected NPAN President

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Mal Kabiru A Yusuf

The Chairman of Media Trust, Publishers of the Daily Trust Newspapers and Trust Television, Mal. Kabiru A. Yusuf, was, on Thursday returned to office as the President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), for another term.

The election also returned some  other officers of the Association,  Mr.  Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of Business Day was elected Vice President and Mrs Angela Emuwa, the Chairman of Punch Newspapers as General Secretary,

Mr. Fidelis Anosike, who until yesterday was the Assistant General Secretary, was elected Treasurer thus paving the way for tne election of Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, the Editor – in- Chief of Leadership Newspaper, to fill  the vacated seat.

Mrs. Emuwa filled the position vacated by Alh. Mohammed Idris who was recently appointed as Minister of Information and National Orientation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while Mr. Anosike  took the position vacated by Mr. Olawale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinatimg Minister for the Economy

Others returned elected were the Deputy President and Publisher of the Guardian newspaper, Lady Maiden-Alex-Ibru, the Publicity Secretary and Group Managing Director of Champion newspapers, Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Ex-Officio member and  Past President of NPAN, Mr. Ray Ekpu, Ex.-Officio member and Publisher of Pilot newspaper, Prince  Dennis Sami.

The Managing Director of The Telegraph newspaper , Mr. Dayo Aminu, was elected as Ex-Officio member

Mr. Aigbogun’s emergence as Vice President followed an amendment to the Association’s constitution, creating the office of a Vice President which was moved by two Patrons of the Association – Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of This Day  and  Chief Olusegun Osoba.

Speaking after the election, the President, Mal Kabiru noted that the injection of  the new officers would further energise the Executive Council in achieving set objectives.

Jonathan Commiserates With Soludo Over Father’s Death

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Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and the people of the State on the passing of his father Pa Simeon Soludo, who died at the age of 92.

Dr. Jonathan described the exit of the nonagenarian  as painful and urged Soludo and his family members to be comforted by the good name and legacies left by his late father.

A statement issued by the former President’s spokesman Mr. Ikechukwu Eze stressed that Dr. Jonathan prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased in a condolence message he personally signed.

The message stated: “Although Pa Soludo exited this world at the  age of 92, his exit has obviously thrown the family into a period of grief. The loss of a parent is always a very painful experience, given the supporting roles they play in our personal lives and in the wellbeing of our communities.

“Please be comforted by the fact that Pa Soludo’s good name, legacies and contributions to our country’s development will continue to endure, having nurtured worthy citizens like you and your siblings. May God  grant his soul eternal rest and imbue you and your family with the strength of spirit to bear the loss.

“Your Excellency, I extend my deepest condolences to you, your family, and the entire people of Anambra state for this great loss.”

Uzodimma, The Man For The Job In Imo

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By Oguwike Nwachuku

On January 15, 2024, the first four years of the Governor of Imo State, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma will gloriously come to an end. He has been in office for about three years and 10 months now.

But Sen. Uzodimma is in the race again for another term of four years and the election has been scheduled for this Saturday, November 11, 2023 in all the 305 Electoral Wards in Imo State.

The campaigns for Governor Uzodimma’s reelection have ended positively across all the nooks and crannies of Imo State and the signs of his overwhelming victory at the polls are quite glaring. Glaring, because what he has done already are there for every one to see.

The turn out during the campaigns was massive. The reception warm. The excitement unprecedented. The expectations for his victory and continuity in office high. The Imo people spoke loudly through the campaigns and the Governor is grateful for that.

In the main, the people of Imo State are quite hopeful that Governor Uzodimma’s tenure will be renewed in a manner that will depict coronation and suggests they see him as the man for the job in Douglas House for now.

Is it not being said that the voice of men is the voice of God?

From the political class, to the elder statesmen, the market men and women, the youths, the workers, the clergy, the physically challenged, the suckling and even the ones their mothers are still bearing their pregnancy, Governor Uzodimma has acquitted himself creditably to warrant his tenure for renewal.

But make no mistake about it, the great strides he has recorded in Imo State did not come easy as we shall find out shortly.

On assumption of office in January 15, 2020, Governor Uzodimma met a State that was almost buried without a casket, something very strange in a Christian dominated area like Imo.

He did not know where to start the exhumation of Imo State’s body after he discovered the place of her burial, but God led him to start from somewhere with his reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery mantra, the popular 3R that became the symbol of the Shared Prosperity Government of the Governor.

With a dose of courage, Governor Uzodimma put in place the machinery to drive his programmes using the reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery mantra.

As if the decayed Imo State when Governor Uzodimma came on board was not enough challenge, those who swore not to give him a chance to change the Imo narrative began to lay all manner of landmines to frustrate him. But the more the attempts to frustrate him, the more determined he was to make the needed impact and difference.

Simultaneously, he began to work on all the roads within the Owerri capital territory that reduced the State to the citadel of death trap for those traveling by road within.

Before you would say jack, the hitherto impassable Douglas road was fixed with the demolished Eke Ukwu market by a previous administration rebuilt. The Relief Market road where traders were using boat to access was fixed, Chukwuma Nwoha, Dick Tiger road and street and several other city roads in Owerri got the needed attention.

Governor Uzodimma caused public water to run again in Owerri, after many years the source of the water, Otanmiri, was turned into a fish pond by those close to the Governor of a previous administration.

He introduced the balloon technology, a strange but novel instrument with which he dealt a deadly bow to the perennial floods which were major characteristics of the town.

Indeed, within a short period in office, Governor Uzodimma caused Imo State capital to resemble one big construction site, all because he was in a hurry to redeem the State capital from the enormous decay in infrastructure status it had pejoratively acquired.

The landmines which political detractors in Imo State laid for Governor Uzodimma on assumption of office in the form of blackmail, propaganda, slander were monumental.

Happening simultaneously  with the sudden outbreak of the global deadly Corona Virus, the #EndSARS# protests, and other state, national and global activities, many thought that Governor Uzodimma would be broken.

But because God’s grace was sufficient, he was not. Instead, he became more boisterous in fixing his eyes on the ball, fully aware that the destiny of Imo State is resting in his hands as God’s instrument.

Let us just cut the long story short.

Imo State under Governor Uzodimma in the past three years and 10 months has witnessed a turn around that baffles even his most rabid critics. Not a single sector has been left unattended to by the government under Uzodimma.

He struck and still continues to strike a harmonious relationship between the three arms of Government – legislature, judiciary and executive – such that a new House of Assembly Complex believed to be the best in Nigeria has germinated in Imo. In the same vein, his government has commissioned several brand new Court Complexes that now makes dispensation of justice, even at the grassroots, seamless.

Roads, youth/ women empowerment, education, agriculture, industry, health, civil service reforms, workers/pensioners welfare, security, et al, are areas Imo people are so grateful to God for sending the person of Governor Uzodimma to them at this time despite the national and global challenges.

Governor Uzodimma’s deliberate efforts to open Imo State up through the major entry points of Owerri-Okigwe, Owerri-Orlu, Owerri- Mbaise-Umuahia roads, the dredging of Oguta Lake up to Orashi to the Atlantic Ocean are indicators of what the drivers of the future economy of Imo State look like.

What of the conversion of the former Federal Medical Centre to the Federal University Teaching Hospital and the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education?

Indeed, there are too many policies with tangible and intangible benefits to the State and it goes without saying that Governor Uzodimma has prepared Imo as a leading digitally governed State, with the Data Centre leading the charge in the automation process for competitiveness.

Everyone is in agreement that our Governor has performed. Everyone agrees that he has remained focused, determined, prepared, to work for Imo. Himself has also not betrayed his MOU with God concerning Imo.

The campaigns across the 10 Federal Constituencies in Imo State that ended on Wednesday say it all about the degree of acceptability of Governor Uzodimma’s reelection. The campaign rallies which turn out was organic signifies the preparedness of both the Governor and the governed to take Imo to the next level.

Key personalities in Nigeria have endorsed Governor Uzodimma’s reelection. Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Minister of Works, Eng. Dave Umahi, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Anoka-Anite, the Minister of Labour and Employment, State, Rt. Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha, among  others, have said Governor Uzodimma’s reelection means a lot to Imo State, the South East and Nigeria.

They have simply corroborated the deluge of endorsements by Imo people and their friends across Nigeria who know that Governor Uzodimma remains the best bet for Ndi Imo today and that with him in the saddle for another four years, the desire of Imo people for a proper foundation for good governance would have been laid.

May I simply say: Congratulations in advance, Onwa Imo.


Nwachuku is Governor Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser