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2023: Wike Asks Nigerians To Condemn Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Retention Of Presidency In The North

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The Source
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Tinubu-Wike and Atiku

By Charles Igbo

“If Wike is so much against Atiku’s candidacy because Atiku is from the North, why did he desperately lobby to be Atiku’s Running Mate?” – PDP Stakeholder

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has condemned the Presidential tickets of both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Wike spoke at a Special dedication Church Service for Rivers State PDP candidates at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Porthacourt on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

He said there is no difference between the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, and that of the PDP which wants another Northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. Both of them, he said, should be condemned by the public.

He said it is hypocrisy to condemn the APC ticket of same faith, and not condemn the PDP ticket which seeks to retain the Presidency in the North after Buhari.

He said to sideline the Zoning principle of the PDP, is an insult to the South.

In a release, on his behalf, by his Spokesperson, Kevin Ebiri, after the Service, the Governor, apparently referring to his party,  the PDP, said:

“You play on people’s intelligence. You say Nigeria is not ripe for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. I agree. But Nigeria is ripe for Presidency to remain in one Zone? I mean, just look at the insult. You blow hot and cold.

“Most of you just sit there, you don’t ask yourself questions. Somebody continues to sell this type of cheap ideas. You don’t ask the person, ‘I agree with what you are saying, but look at what we are saying here.’

“Your Party wants the Presidency to go to the same Zone where President Muhammadu Buhari is coming from. Who is cheating who?

“It is not now that politics has come, you want to come and tell the Church a different story for your own personal interest. We have to be careful so that the Church is not destroyed because, all of us, for example, we are Anglicans. I will not allow anybody, for his selfish interest, to destroy the Church of Nigeria. I will not allow that.

But many people have  accused Wike of selfishness, and playing to the gallery. They say he is condemning the PDP ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa because he was not given the Vice Presidential ticket. Asked one PDP high profile member: “If Wike is so much against the President coming from the North, why did he lobby to be Atiku’s running mate? Why did he contest for it? Did he forget Atiku’s Northern origin when he wanted to be his Running mate? Why did he hit the roof when he lost out to Okowa? If he had been given the Vice Presidential ticket, as he desperately wanted, could he have been condemning Atiku’s candidacy? Does Wike think he is talking to fools?”

The Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of the APC are Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, both Muslims. Tinubu is from the South and Shettima from the  North. Those of the PDP are Atiku Abubakar a Muslim from the North, and Ifeanyi Okowa, a Christian from the South.

For the records, Wike failed in his bid to be Atiku’s running mate. Since then, he has been waging a war against the ticket.

PDP Crisis: I Have Tried With Wike – Atiku

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, said he has done his best in trying to sort out areas of disagreement between him, the Party and the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking Sunday, 11th December, at a Town Hall Meeting on Channels Television, Atiku said that the opinion held by not a few members of the public that he had not met with Wike, and not tried to find a solution to the crisis was false.

Contrary to that opinion, Atiku revealed that since the crisis started, he had met, one on one, with Governor Wike five number of times.

He explained that he met with him once in London, twice in Abuja, and twice in Porthacourt.

From all indications, the meetings brought no appreciable solution to the crisis. Therefore, Atiku said he is “waiting for the other side.”

The Presidential candidate did not reveal which “other side” he is waiting for, but over the weekend, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, and the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, met with one of Wike’s staunch political allies, Samuel Ortom, in a bid to resolve the crisis.

Atiku: “I have met with Wike two times in Abuja, two times in Porthacourt and once in London, personally.”

But it does seem that after each meeting, Wike’s refrain is usually: “I go pepper them.”

Atiku distanced himself from the non-resolution of the crisis, and emphasised: “I am waiting for the other side.”

Wike is the arrow head and leader of five PDP Governors and some other stakeholders who rebelled against the leadership of the Party and its Presidential Candidate when Wike lost both the Presidential and Vice Presidential tickets to Atiku and Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, respectively.

The other Governors working with Wike are: Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Seyi Makinde, Oyo, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu.

They are asking for the vacation, from office, of the Party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, for a Southerner, and have vowed not to have anything to do with the National body of the PDP, or its Presidential Candidate.

Aside from blaming Ayu for Wike’s losses, they asked Ayu to keep to the agreement reached, and promise he made before the Presidential Primary, to quit office if a Northerner wins the ticket. They insist that both the National Chairman and the Candidate, cannot come from the Zone, which Wike revealed was, also, Atiku’s promise when he won the Presidential ticket of the Party.

However, Ayu has since shunned the agreement, and insists on his four-year tenure in office. He has the support of the National Executive Council of the Party, its Board of Trustees and Atiku.

Wike and his group, popular as G-5, and now, Integrity Group, have distanced themselves from the activities of the Party at the National level, and vowed to have nothing to do with the Presidential Campaign unless Ayu steps down.

For now, they are in the habit of de-marketing the Party’s Presidential Candidate, in clear anti-party activities.

The PDP seems helpless.

Finally, Atiku Condemns Deborah’s Murder; Cleric Says It Is Political Condemnation

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Deborah Samuel and Atiku Abubakar

By Adesina Soyooye

Seven months after the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has, finally, publicly condemned it.

Deborah, a 200 level student of the Federal College of Education, Sokoto, who was of the Christian Faith, was stoned to death, and her body set ablaze, for alleged blasphemy on May 12, 2022.

She was alleged to have expressed concern on a Class Whatsaap Group, over the proliferation of Islamic materials on the Platform, and said she thought it was meant for Class issues only.

That was termed blasphemous, and she was killed on the school premises by some of her Islamic fanatical colleagues.

Her murder, especially, the cruel way she was killed, sparked outrage within and outside the Country. It was strongly condemned by many Countries, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

Most Nigerian politicians, especially, Presidential Aspirants, feigned deaf and dumb to her murder. But a tweet which condemned Deborah’s murder, appeared on Atiku’s verified Tweeter handle within hours. It read: “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her murder must be brought to justice.

“My condolences to her family and friends.”

Surprisingly, within 24   hours, Atiku took the post down, claiming that it was posted without his permission. What happened, however, was that Islamic fundamentalists attacked Atiku for the post, and threatened to not vote for him in 2023.

But  the deleted post and his explanation, angered most Christians who accused him of preferring his votes to the life of a young student so cruelly cut down at 22 years.

Since then, Atiku, as did other contestants, neither condemned  Deborah’s murder, nor consoled her family which has, since, been relocated to Porthacourt, Rivers State, by a benevolent Christian Cleric.

But on Sunday, at a Town Hall on Channels Television, Atiku finally condemned Deborah’s murder. He described it as un-Islamic, and posited that there was nowhere in the Holy Qur’an where such a murder was recommended. He said there is a process before it, and Deborah was not given the privilege of that process. He, also, repeated his reason for deleting the post – it did not have his permission, he emphasized.

Atiku on Channels: “I condemned it (the murder). There is nowhere it is said or there is an injunction in the Islamic Faith that you can go and take someone’s life. It has to be through due process.”

However, not a few people dismiss Atiku’s condemnation on Sunday as “medicine after death.”

Asked an angry Christian Cleric who pleaded anonymity because he did not want to get involved in what he called “the politics of Atiku’s silence on Deborah: “Atiku condemns the murder now because he needs Christian votes. Let me assume that the first tweet was not authorized by him, why has he not condemned Deborah’s murder since then. Why did he not re-tweet? Why did it take him seven months to condemn it. I am not impressed.”

Tinubu Will Win Without Support Of The Igbo – APC Chieftain

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The Source
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Gbazuagu Nweke

By Akinwale Kasali

A Chieftain of the  All Progressives Congress, APC, Gbazuagu Nweke has said that the Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will win even without the support of the Igbo.

Nweke the Coordinator of the Independent Campaign Council of the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign, spoke weekend in Enugu at the inauguration of  the State and Local Government Area Coordinators of the Tinubu/ Shettima Independent Campaign Council, by   former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.

According to Gbazuagu: “He (Tinubu) will win even without us (The Igbo), but we won’t be left behind. But we are just complementing his election.”

Inaugurating the ICC, Nnamani said his support for Tinubu is not  to get a Ministerial appointment or other benefits if he (Tinubu) wins the 2023 Presidential Election, rather, he said, his motive of supporting Tinubu is for the benefit of the  South-East Zone.

The former Senate President stressed that it is for the Igbo to use their support for Tinubu in 2023 to build bridges across the country, adding that the Presidential Candidate is set to give the Igbo a sense of belonging.

“I’m not looking for Ministerial position because I have outgrown that. We are doing this in the overall interest of our people.

“Ndigbo are using our support for Tinubu and the APC in 2023 to build bridges across the country,” Nnamani said.

He said the Tinubu/Shettima Independent Campaign Council does not take the place of the APC in Enugu State, explaining that it is an initiative of the Presidential Candidate.

He, therefore, urged the Campaign Councils to ensure that the people of Enugu State understood why they needed to vote for Tinubu and the APC.

“Don’t join issues with people who are resorting to insults. Just concentrate on the goal because this is a very serious business,” he added.

Nnamani was the Senate President under the PDP controlled Federal Government. He decamped to the APC a couple of years after his tenure.

However, he has not been able to make much impact in the South-east or Enugu State politics since then.

Enugu has remained firm in the hands of the PDP.

PDP Crisis Is Product Of Arrogance – Governor Ortom

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has disclosed that the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has to do with arrogance.

Ortom, who is part of the G5 also known as the Integrity Group which has in its camp Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State is calling for the resignation of PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Meeting with Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party ,Ortom stated  that the meeting was at the instance of his Sokoto counterpart, saying  that arrogance of the Party leadership aggravated the crisis.

He said, “This meeting is at his (Tambuwal) instance. We have discussed quite a number of issues including the division in the PDP; the G-5 which I am a member. He is here principally to see how we can team up and work together as a party.

“I have told him he is welcomed, we are together, we are members of the PDP. But I have said that the leaderdhip of this party has failed to take advantage of the challenges of the party and make it stronger.

“Right from when we held our convention, instead of the leadership deploying its internal dispute resolution mechanism to look at the grievances that arose as a result of the dispute that arose from the primary, no matter how stupid they were, they have failed to do this.

“Rather, it is arrogance, nonchalant attitude; and nobody has cared to reach out to us even when we voiced out that things were not going on well.

“And we have discussed on my opinion on how I think this matter can be resolved. And I believe that as a leader and the DG of the campaign, he would do the needful because I am not alone. Talking to me alone will not solve the problem but reaching out to the others. I believe he will do the needful to pull the party together.”

Tambuwal said that work was in progress towards resolving the crisis.

While stating that dispute was not alien to group or family, Tambuwal stated that efforts were on to ensure that the crisis was resolved.

“Even in our families, we have reasons to disagree and agree, at some other times when you have such disagreement and you come back together, you bond more stronger and wax stronger.

“So, it’s work in progress and we have met several times but we are working to bring everybody together to work for this party. That is the mission of my being here in Makurdi.

“He (Ortom) is a principled person on the issues we are handling and we have had a very strong conversation with him and of course, I will engage with the rest of our colleagues and our leaders to see how best we can come back together as one family and work towards making sure that the PDP come out stronger and win the elections in 2023.”

PDP Calls The Bluff Of Wike, Ikpeazu, Makinde, Ortom, Ugwuanyi; Makes New Appointments To PCC

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Any Atiku Supporter Is An Enemy – Governor Ortom
G5 Governors

By Adesina Soyooye

The Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called the bluff of the Governor Nyesom Wike-led G-5 (Integrity Group).

The G-5 is made up of PDP Governors who are  at loggerheads with the leadership of the PDP and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Problem began after Wike lost the Presidential ticket to Atiku, as well as the Vice Presidential candidate slot to Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Since then, they have refused to participate in the activities of the PDP at the National level. They have, also, embarked on the de-marketing of the Presidential candidate.

The Governors are Nyesom Wike, Rivers, Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, and Seyi Makinde, Oyo.

While making new appointments of Chairmen of the Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, the Governors were pointedly ignored in their Zones.

For instance, in the South-south Zone, Wike, being a second term Governor ought to be the Chairman, but he was by-passed for Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri. In the South-West, Makinde was bypassed for the newly inaugurated Governor Ademola Adeleke. In the South-east, both Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu were  bypassed for former Governor, Theodore Orji, now a Senator. In the North Central,  Ortom was by-passed for former Governor Gabriel Suswan, now a Senator.

The appointments were contained in a Release signed by the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, and takes immediate effect.

The Release reads as follows:

CHAIRMEN ZONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE

  1. SOUTH-EAST:- H. E. SEN. THEODORE A ORJI, CHAIRMAN
  2. SOUTH-SOUTH:- H.E. SEN. DOUYE DIRI, CHAIRMAN
  3. SOUTH-WEST:- H.E. SEN. ADEMOLA JACKSON ADELEKE, CHAIRMAN
  4. NORTH-CENTRAL:- H.E. SEN. GABRIEL SUSWAM, CHAIRMAN
  5. NORTH-EAST:- H.E. DARIUS ISHIAKU, CHAIRMAN
  6. NORTH-WEST:- H.E. SEN. ADAMU ALIERO, CHAIRMAN

ZONAL LIAISON DESK OFFICERS

  1. SOUTH-EAST:- CHIEF DAN ULASI
  2. SOUTH-SOUTH:- SEN. JAMES MANAGER
  3. SOUTH-WEST:- DR. EDDY OLAFESO
  4. NORTH-CENTRAL:- HON. MUSA ELAYO
  5. NORTH-EAST:- ALH. IBRAHIM DAN DIJA
  6. NORTH-WEST:- DR AKILU INDABAWA

DIRECTORS AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS

  1. DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS – SEN. DINO MELAYE
  2. DIRECTOR, SPECIAL DUTIES SOUTH – ENGR JIDE ADENIJI
  3. DIRECTOR, SPECIAL DUTIES NORTH – BASHIR ADAMU
  4. DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & STRATEGY – PEDRO OBASEKI
  5. DIRECTOR GENERAL, WOMEN CAMPAIGN COUNCIL – HAJ. HADIZA ADADO
  6. DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL, WOMEN CAMPAIGN COUNCIL – MRS. TARIELA OLIVER
  7. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CIVIL SOCIETY:- AMB. MRS. NKOYO TOYO
  8. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, NGO’S:- HON. NSIKAT EKONG
  9. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:- ALH. BUHARI BALA
  10. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MONITORING & EVALUATION:- BILKISU MAGORO
  11. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, RESEARCH:- DR SYDNEY INEGBEDION

24-25. DEPUTY DIRECTORS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS:- RT. HON. NUHU AYUBA,

PROF NAIYA SADA

  1. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ELECTION MANAGEMENT:- DR ADE DOSUMU
  2. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, TRAINING:- ITIAKPO IKPOPO
  3. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ADMIN:- HON SEGUN ADEKOLA
  4. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, VOLUNTEER GROUPS:- MR. OLADIMEJI FABIYI
  5. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MEDIA:- AKINTOBA FATIGUN
  6. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, VOTER INTELLIGENCE:- AMB. KABIRU UMAR
  7. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIASPORA:- PROF. GOLD CHIDI WUNMI EMMANUEL
  8. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ADMIN:- HALIMA SULEIMAN
  9. CAMPAIGN TECHNICAL ADVISOR, PRIVATE SECTOR:- MAZI SAM OHUABUNWA
  10. CAMPAIGN TECHNICAL ADVISOR, ECONOMY:- ALH MOHAMMED HAYATUDEEN
  11. TECHNICAL ADVISOR, RESTRUCTURING AND UNIFICATION:- H.E. SEN. BARR. SERIAKE DICKSON

DIRECTORATE FOR NASS, PCC

  1. DIRECTOR – SEN. CHUKWUKA UTAZI / SENATE MINORITY WHIP
  2. DEPUTY DIRECTOR – RT. HON. TOBY OKECHUKWU/ HOUSE DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER

All appointees are to please report to the Deputy Director-General, Admin for further details.

CONGRATULATIONS.!

H.E. RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL

DIRECTOR-GENERAL, PCO

“I Drove From Anara To Owerri, And The Road Was Smooth” – Catholic Bishop; Condemns Attempts To Derail Uzodinma’s Road Projects

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma and Most Rev Solomon Amatu

The Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev Dr Solomon Amatu yesterday condemned the attack on the construction company working on Owerri-Umuahia  road, and Owerri-okigwe roads which led to the killing of  their security personnel,  wondering why those behind the attacks want to stop the  good works the governor is doing.

Amatu who spoke during his sermon at the Golden jubilee wedding anniversary of Prof Maurice Iwu and his wife, Lady Kate asked if those engaged in the violence do not want the governor to bring progress to the state.

” I drove from Anara to Owerri today and the road was smooth, no pot hole or bad spot. That is the good road the governor is doing which these people don’t seem to be happy with” the Bishop said

Gun men had in the last two days murdered  two policemen and an army officer providing security for construction workers along Owerri- Okiigwe road and Owerri Umuahia road

While urging the perpetrators of the violence to desist from their murderous activities, Bishop Amatu said he didn’t believe that some people don’t want progress being driven by Gov Hope Uzodimma.

He said there was need for the people of the state to support the governor to  accomplish his developmental agenda in the state.

Earlier in an interview, two human rights groups blamed the opposition PDP for recent  violence in the state.

According to them, PDP is afraid that Uzodimma would be easily reelected based on his signature projects, hence the attempt to scuttle them.

Mr onyemachi Njoku, chairman of Nigeria Youths for Democracy condemned what he called a deliberate but vicious attempt by PDP to whittle down the progress made by Uzodimma through violence.

He said the recent killings in the state were targeted at blackmailing the administration of Uzodimma.

Njoku frowned at  the senseless waste of 0lives in Imo because of politics and advised the opposition to desist from the act.

Also speaking, Dr Nwankwo Kalu of  youth against violence asked the security agencies to redouble their efforts in apprehending the perpetrators of the violence.

He said they should look at the way of the opposition since it was clear that they don’t want Uzodimma to succeed.

How A Hit & Run Driver Killed Former Governor Mudashiru’s Son, Dr Olaolu Mudashiru

By
The Source
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

Olaolu Mudashiru, easy going, vivacious, entrepreneur and popular businessman was killed Sunday morning, December 11, 2020, by a reckless hit & run driver.

Mudashiru died in a most unfortunate, unexpected manner.

Co-founder and Managing Director of VETIVA, a leading Capital Management Firm, he was riding a bicycle, as a form of  exercise, Sunday morning, along with his friends, when a drunk driver veered off the road and hit him. Rushed to a nearby hospital, he was confirmed dead.

The accident happened along Gerrard Road, Ikoyi. The driver reportedly escaped.

A Medical Doctor-turned businessmen, the late Mudashiru was the son of a former Military Governor of Lagos State, Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru.

He was in his early 50’s

Insecurity: God’s Vengeance On The Way For The Wicked, Bishop Amatu; I Pray To God Everyday For Their Repentance, Says Uzodinma

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma and Most Rev Solomon Amatu

The Catholic Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Most Rev Solomon Amatu has warned those involved in the killing of their fellow humans to desist forthwith or they become victims of the vengeance of God.

Bishop Amatu also urged the people of God to wear patience as a cloth in the face of the challenges of life, particularly as the Christmas period is here once again.

He spoke on Sunday in his Homily at the Golden Jubilee Church Service of the marriage between Prof Maurice Iwu and his wife, Kate, at the St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, New Owerri.

At the same event,  Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State told the congregation that everyday, he prays to God to change the heart of those who perpetrate wickedness like killings and harming of their fellow human beings, particularly in Imo State.

Bishop Amatu said many people who are keen on coming home for the Christmas may be afraid of being killed or kidnapped because of the activities of the wicked in our society.

He said patience and peace are needed by people of God, even this season and warned that those who resort to perpetrating evil against their fellow humans risk what is written in the Bible in Isaiah 35: 1-6.

Making reference to the  above Bible verse  in his Homily, which says: “Be strong, fear not! Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God, He will come and save you,” Bishop Amatu reminded the congregation of God’s vengeance on those who perpetrate evil and asked them to repent or get consumed in their act.

The Bishop told the people that “God is coming to save us from the hands of those doing evil” and that “everyone must pay for their crime at the last day.”

He however prayed for peace to enable Imo State prosper and develop.

In a veiled reference to the failure of the family over the entire security situation in our society, the Bishop said:  “The Governor, the Bishop, the Professor, the Clergy, and all good men are all born by women and come from families. In the same vain all bad people in the society, kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, unknown gunmen and others are all  born by women and come from families.”

He therefore charged all to have a rethink and turn a new leaf.

Bishop Amatu congratulated Prof Iwu and the wife in their Golden Jubilee, noting that their marriage has succeeded because they made God the corner stone of the Union and learned from being patient and peaceful in all situations.

Governor Uzodimma reiterated that what the citizens are asking for the prosperity of our State is peace, “but in all these it will be practically impossible when we don’t have peace.”

The Governor enjoined all to pray for quick intervention of God in the affairs of Imo State and noted that everyday he commits to God in his prayers for a change of heart, of those involved in killings, kidnappings and other forms of evil deeds.

“What is happening in Imo State in terms of insecurity is unnecessary and when we are looking for development of Imo State and how our State will be the best in our country and or ask for prosperity to be in our State it will be practically impossible if we don’t have peace.”

He enjoined everyone to pray to Almighty God to touch the heart of those behind insecurity in Imo State “because they know themselves and may be here in the Church.”

Governor Uzodimma wondered how a man will sit at a place, plan how people will be killed and the next day he will be in Church and asked: “to do what?”

The Governor said Bishop Amatu’s Homily was enough menu for those who heard him and urged the congregation to go home and think about the message.

He also congratulated Prof. Maurice, the wife Kate, members of their family and welcomed all those who came from outside the State to felicitate with to to them.

In his welcome remarks, Prof Iwu thanked both the clergy, particularly Bishop Amatu, the Governor and his entourage as well as the army of important dignitaries who joined them at the Church Service and wished everyone well.

Prominent among those at the Church Service were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the State Expanded Executive Council.

Other Very Important Personalities include: Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, former Governor of Imo State; elder Statesman, Chief (Engr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prof. A.B. C. Nwosu, Barr. Levi Uzokwu (SAN), the Chairman Imo State Elders Council, HRM Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, former APC State Chairman, Chief Malcom Nlemigbo, and many others.

Oshiomole Challenges Governor Obaseki On Edo Debt Profile

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Obaseki and Oshiomhole
Obaseki and Oshiomhole

By Ayodele Oni

A former Edo State Governor and Edo North Senatorial Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election,  Adams Oshiomhole has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of putting the state into more indebtedness.

Oshiomole disclosed that Obaseki has more explanations to offer the citizens concerning the current state of indebtedness of Edo state in the face of federal allocation and sundry funds received in recent time.

Oshiomhole who said this in Benin at the flag off of Edo south Senatorial campaign as well as presentation of flags to the party’s candidates for the 2023 general election added that “the funds and resources that came into the state in recent time is sufficient for any responsible government to govern and provide necessary and basic amenities to it’s citizens.

“Although the past belong to the past while the future should be planned for. I make bold to say that  I didn’t leave any debt for my successor, Governor Godwin Obaseki, as the only local loan we took while in office as the chief executive officer of Edo State was the N25 billion bond which has been paid”.

“Talking about the debt, I need to use this occasion to clear certain things, I have decided that what I owe Edo people was to join forces to secure tomorrow and not to cry over yesterday because we can’t bring it back but facts must be explained.

“When  I assumed office as governor of the state, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was N250million each month but after a month in office, the IGR went up to N2.1billion.

“When we had a World Bank budget support of $221 million and they paid two tranches of $75 million when Naira was N165 to a dollar, the third tranche of $75 million was paid to my successor, and I am not going to mention anybody’s name but it was paid to my successor.

“I did the Benin-Lagos roads and several federal roads with these money but the good thing was that, after I left office, the money I used to construct these roads N18 billion was refunded to my successors.”

Oshiomhole then challenged the state government to  publish in national newspapers what was the level of domestic debt when he left office on November 12, 2016 and the current level of domestic debt.

“When they are talking that I left Edo in debt, tell them to publish in national newspapers what was the level of domestic debt when I left office on November 12, 2016 and what is the level of domestic debt now. Let them tell  the people if they didn’t receive $75 million of the World Bank Budget Support when I left office and what they did with the money.

“If they continue to lie against me, I will publish the N10 billion President Muhammadu Buhari gave to all the states after I left office and another N10 billion to pay pension as well as the Paris refund.”

Edo State chairman of the APC, Col David Imuse (rtd)  said the people of Edo state will vote for the APC as against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of the leadership style of Governor Godwin Obaseki which he said has denied the masses of the state access to basic amenities in the guise of being a technocrat.

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