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Anyim Felicitates With Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr, Urges Sustained Prayers For Nigeria

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The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

A Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim has felicitated with Muslims in Nigeria and the world on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration which marks the successful end of 2022 Ramadan Fast.

In a statement issued on Sunday from his presidential campaign office and personally signed by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), thanked Almighty Allah for “granting our Muslim brothers and sisters” the grace to fulfill the important religious obligation this year.

Anyim expressed strong belief that the Almighty God will accept the sacrifice of the fast and bless the Muslim Ummah as well as Nigeria our dear country.

He urged the faithful to continue to make sacrifices in prayers and fasting for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria, even as they enjoy the festivities that come with the celebration.

The sacrifice, Anyim went on, is most needed now that our country is going through difficult times in combating worsening economic downturn, insecurity and other threats to the comfort and wellbeing of the citizens and our country. He encouraged Muslim faithful and in deed all Nigerians to have faith in Almighty Allah and face the future with renewed hope and optimism.

“I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan Fast. I also thank the Almighty Allah for giving you the grace to successfully round up the fasting which is a sacrifice of self-denial of comfort.

“It is my prayer that Almighty Allah accepts your sacrifices and bestows on you all, the blessings that come with the Holy Month Ramadan.

“As you celebrate the festivities, I also enjoin all Muslim faithful to continue  to make sacrifices for the peace and continued progress of out dear country, Nigeria as she grapples with deteriorating economy, insecurity and other threats to her corporate existence.

Once again, Barka Da Sallah and happy celebrations,” Anyim added.

Ekiti PDP Chieftain Urges Nat. Chairman To Check Fayose Over Imposition Of Son As Reps Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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Fayose and his Son

By Ayodele Oni

Dissatisfied with ongoings within the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ekiti state, a chieftain of the party has, again, appealed to the National Chairman, Dr Iyorcha Ayu, to wade in before a looming disaster.

This time, the complaint is about the decision of former Governor Ayo Fayose to foist his son and other loyalists as House of Representatives candidates during next year’s election.

Mr Ebenezer Tetteh from Efon Alaaye, in a letter to the National Chairman, asked him to see  that “the sheer madness unfolding before our eyes is addressed decisively and our dear leader, Former Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose, should be strongly advised to put the interest of the party first and be circumspect in pursuing his self-serving succession agenda.

“Mr Fayose’s shoddy handling of his ambition, that is, foisting his close allies and son on other aspirants who want to aspire  to the  House of Representatives and Senate on the party as his preferred candidate is tearing the party apart.

“Also, the uncouth manner in which he attempts to railroad the entire state structure, party hierarchy and members to adopt his choice is unbecoming of a leader in a democratic setting.

“His actions clearly go against the principles of internal democracy which our party holds in high esteem. Much more, we are concerned that in his desperation, he is creating cracks within and opening the party’s flank for crushing attacks by the ruling All Progressive Congress.

“If left unbridled, our State party leader might cause the party to lose the Governorship seat as many were planning to leave the party through disqualification of qualified House of Representative and Senate candidate in favour of all his endorsed candidate.

“Sir, we crave your indulgence, at this point, to itemize some areas in which Former Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose is becoming a source of serious concern to the party:

“Former Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose’s preferred aspirants for the House of Representative and Senate seats are unpopular, against the interest of the party and reduces the chances of the party winning the governorship election in June 18, 2022 by more than half.

“Unfortunately, the State leader in his wisdom wishes to impose his allies and son, Mr. Joju Fayose. Despite all entreaties to Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose to see reasons against picking a family member and Ally’s as a possible successor seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

“Instead, the State leader is attempting through blackmail, threats and intimidation to collapse the structure of other aspirants into that of his preferred aspirants.

“Consequently, the party is sharply divided along interest lines, State Working Committee is badly polarised and hardly maintaining cohesion. There are rumours of mass defection too.

“Due to Former Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose’s impunity and unfair treatment of other aspirants and creating a climate of scorn for his aides, who are nursing political ambition, the state executive council is in disarray and the governor seems unable to control his cabinet members.

“A case in point were Campaign Committee Member for the Governorship Campaign keep resigning everyday, but for the sake of our party we implore the national leadership to wade into this matter as soon as possible to de-escalate.”

Though Celebrating May Day With Pain, Hope Is Near The Corner – Anyim Assures Workers

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The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Frontline PDP presidential aspirant, Anyim Pius Anyim has commended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and determination to put in their best despite their harsh economic realities of  the day.

In his 2022 May Day message to workers released from his Campaign office in Abuja on Saturday, the former President of the Senate lamented the downturn in the quality of the life of workers in the country caused by bad economic situation which has made the living condition of members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the entire working class both in the public and private sectors a nightmare.

Anyim cited high rate of inflation, underemployment, salary delays, and salary denials as some of the major economic challenges facing workers as well as myriads of non economic factors that have brought pains to workers in the country.

He praised Nigerian workers for continuing to put in their best despite the difficult work environment and conditions, describing workers as genuine patriots.

He urged them not to be demoralised by the situation of things, assuring them that by the grace of God, the on-going political transition would enthrone a new government in 2023 that will be mindful of the plight of workers, competent in the management of economy and be able to reverse the pains of today.

Anyim who was a career public servant for many years, in a Release signed on his behalf by Ahmed  Buhari, Spokesman for the Anyim Campaign Office said that:

“It is shocking how the living and working conditions of the Nigerian public and private sector workers have rapidly deteriorated in the last few years.

“As I celebrate with you on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day, I share with you the pains and agony of  Nigerian workers. On the one hand, uncontrolled Inflation has wiped out the purchasing power of the civil and public servants as well as the private sector workers.

“On the other hand, the deplorable state of the Nigerian economy has made it almost impossible to raise salaries and wages to a commensurate level with the Inflation rate, thereby putting workers in further quagmire.

“And yet, many workers in the country are grossly underemployed and underpaid in the face of galloping Inflation.

“In addition, the over-yoked workers, like the rest of Nigerians, are also contending with insecurity, exorbitant rents, poor transport facilities and dearth of other vital infrastructures.

“Despite these militating factors, you have continued to work and create wealth for the country. This resilience, undoubtedly, marks Nigerian workers out as great patriots, who, given the right environment would be in the forefront of launching Nigeria into her rightful place in terms of development.

“Your sacrifice shall not be in vain. I urge you take the  ongoing political transition seriously and participate actively, so that by 2023, Nigeria will have a very competent government that will address all the challenges dragging the country down.

“By the grace of God, I see a greater and brighter Nigeria emerging from the agonies of the present time”, the 2023 presidential aspirant stated.”

Atiku Vs Bala: Alamieyeseigha’s Ghost Haunting Uzamere

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The Source
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Bala Mohammed and Atiku Abubakar

By Udenta Udenta

“While Senator Uzamere wallows in the putrid universe where his ilk dwell, unsure if the ghost of Alamieyeseigha will haunt him to no end or if his cell inside the EFCC is still kept ready for him having been their disgraceful customer many years gone by, Senator Bala Mohammed campaign has been blazing away across the length and breadth of the land.”

I chuckled when I read Senator Uzamere’s diatribe against Senator Bala Mohammed, his campaign organization and myself.

I chuckled because I know his intent: draw the Senator Bala Mohammed Campaign Organization to the putrescent catacombs of his banal mind and distract it from unfurling the full potentials of Senator Bala Mohammed’s grand Nigeria First Governance Vision.

In essence, waiting for Udenta’s “Dirty War” in the mind of a political rascal and nonentity like Senator Uzamere is akin to Waiting for Godot – assuming that he has ever heard such an expression in his philistine- like mode of existence.

Senator Bala Mohammed, flush from his decisive validation by his people via the Consensus pronouncements – the source of Senator Uzamere’s hatred and envy – has already commenced his broad based consultations with PDP delegates with only one strategic intent and purpose – a decisive victory at the primary election.

While Senator Uzamere wallows in the putrid universe where his ilk dwell, unsure if the ghost of Alamieyeseigha will haunt him to no end or if his cell inside the EFCC is still kept ready for him having been their disgraceful customer many years gone by, Senator Bala Mohammed campaign has been blazing away across the length and breadth of the land.

Uzamere is looking for someone to enliven his very drab, inconsequential and perfidious existence but he won’t be getting that from me or Senator Bala Mohammed campaign organization.

We will rather give him an assignment since he seems to be questioning my credentials as a Professor.

The Senator Bala Mohammed Campaign Organization is ready to donate to Senator Uzamere a hard back set of my 21 books, with a charge to read and understand my six volume Boyhood Works written between the ages of 13 and 15 – because I sincerely don’t know when he last read a book. A reward awaits him for this simple labour because asking him to read and understand my Revolutionary Aesthetics and the African Literary Process, Autonomy of Values and Crisis of Theory may lead to a psychiatric situation, and I say this very seriously.

On a final note, Senator Bala Mohammed’s campaign organization still believes that we don’t really know who has set Senator Uzamere on this self-destructive path and for what purpose.

If such entities are Muslims they clearly miss the essence of the Sallah season of purification already upon us, even as we beg Almighty God to forgive him and his dark and unconscionable patrons their transgressions against his name and humanity.

NB: Regrettably this will be my last communication with an amorphous and morally confused fellow like Senator Uzamere on the expectation that the Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation clearly distances itself from him and denies him prop. But if that campaign condones his mindless attacks on Senator Bala Mohammed we will respond in equal measure and regard.

Prof Udenta is the Chairman PIU/ Spokesman Sen Bala Mohammed Presidential Campaign Organization

PDP Congresses: Only Membership Cards Authenticated By Ayu, Anyanwu Are Allowed

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The Source
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Iyorcha Ayu

In the seeming confusion dogging who exactly is the right authority to authenticate the Membership cards of Party faithfuls to enable them take part in the Congresses, the Peoples Democratic Party  PDP, has Clarified the status of Membership Cards.

In a statement issued on Saturday, April 30, and  signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said that only Membership Cards signed by the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and/or the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, are permissible.

Following is the full text of the statement.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hereby clarifies on the membership eligibility to participate in Congresses to elect the 3-man Ad-Hoc delegates who shall in turn elect Party Candidates for the 2023 general elections.

“This clarification becomes necessary following reports of misinterpretation in some chapters, particularly in Lagos State, where some Party stakeholders are reportedly demanding that Membership Cards have to be authenticated by Ward Chairmen before the holders are eligible to participate in the 3-man Ad-Hoc Congresses schedule for Saturday, April 30, 2022.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the only authority vested with the power to authenticate Party Membership Cards for eligibility to participate in Congresses, including the 3-man Ad-Hoc Delegate Congresses, are the National Chairman and the National Secretary through their signatures on the Cards.

“The PDP Constitution 2017 (as amended) in Chapter 2, Part 1, Article 8(7) is clear in providing that “the Membership Card shall be produced by the National Headquarters and authenticated by the National Chairman and the National Secretary”

“For emphasis, members holding Membership Cards duly authenticated by the National Chairman and National Secretary do not require any further authentication by Ward Chairmen or any other officer of the Party at any level whatsoever before they can participate in the 3-man Ad-hoc Delegate Congresses and Party Primaries.

“A member with a duly authenticated Membership Card by the National Chairman and National Secretary and who is up to date in his financial obligation to the Party shall be eligible to participate and vote in the 3-man Ad-Hoc Delegate Congress.

“All Party leaders, critical stakeholders and members should note accordingly”

Douglas Nwosu’s Right Of Passage Begins

By
Uche Mbah
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Eze Douglas Ndukaku

By Uche Mbah

His Royal Highness, Eze Douglas Ndukaku Friday Nwosu, the Ntum 1 of Abaukwu Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Umuahia, Abia state, has begun the journey to his final resting place.

He passed away on Nigeria Independence day, October 1, 2021. That he left the flesh on that day is a clear testimony about a man who was completely de-tribalized and built bridges of relationships across geopolitical divide.

His friends and Associates included Chief Jim Nwobodo, former governor of old Anambra state; Late Solomon Lar of Plateau state; Late Abubakar Rimi of Kano state, Late Minister of sports Emeka Omerua (mentee), and a host of others. He had a working business relationship with the late Attah of Igalaland.

He was a renowned Federal contractor for several years. Some of the contract jobs he did were the construction of the Federal government College Jos; The Immigration quarters at Mfon; Benue Hotels, Makurdi, to name a few. He held the contract for the construction of Oyi International Market, Oyi, Anambra state, but had to stop construction due to political intrigues.

The Market remains uncompleted till date. Many individuals were sponsored by him, but within and outside his community.

In the year 2000,he was installed as the traditional ruler of Abaukwu Kingdom, and took the title Ntum, translated as spring.

He was on record as having rejected a ministerial  appointment under late President Shehu Shagari.

Born in 1940 to Mr. and Mrs. Otokiri Nwosu, his education took him from Ndoru Central School where he did Standard six, to Lagos for his General Certificate of Education, GCE, and City and Guilds in Electrical Installation and fabrication.

He worked for SCOA before proceeding to London where he studied at Wellesden Collage of Technology. He later went into partnership with Mike Cleverly, who owns Amarex, a multimillion pound global brand, as consultant to Cerekem Breweries in Cold Room Installation and maintenance in Denmark before relocating back to Nigeria.

“He will be buried on 3rd of May 2022 at his palace at Abaukwu, Umuahia

He is survived by wives, Children and Grand children.

2023: Political Leaders In Agege Purchase Nomination Form For Lagos Speaker Obasa

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Agege Leaders in Support of Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

Political leaders in Agege have purchased, and unveiled the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms forms of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The leaders, under the aegis of the Agege Leadership Council, on Saturday, April 30, 2022, unveiled the forms at the House of the Agege APC Apex leader, Chief Safari Adaranijo.

The Political Leaders said they contributed to raise the funds for the purchase of the forms following Obasa’s superlative performance as the Leader the Legislative Arm of Lagos State

According to them, the effort is meant to urge him to “speak again” and to express their love, support and appreciation to Obasa for playing positive roles in the development and progress of Agege.

The purchase of the forms comes days after the leaders endorsed and prevailed on him to return to the House of Assembly even though he had the opportunity of vying for the position of a Senator.

Unveiling the forms, the leaders applauded the Speaker’s contribution towards the development of Lagos State and reaffirmed their belief that Obasa has the experience and the capacity to continue as the Speaker of the “most vibrant State Assembly in Nigeria.”

Alhaji Adaranijo noted Obasa’s performance as Speaker adding that with him, Agege had witnessed unprecedented development.

“We the leaders of APC in Agege and the entire members of the party in Agege, decided to get these forms for our Rt. Hon. Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, because he’s a performer and we are lucky to have him.

“Talking about the bridge, roads in Agege, Obasa is excellent, that’s partly why we the leaders of APC decided to get these forms for him.

“As Speaker, he became Chairman of the Conference of Speakers in Nigeria; when we look at legislative duties in Nigeria today, Lagos is number one, and that’s the reason why we want him to come and speak again the way he has been speaking good for Lagos State,” he said.

Some of the leaders present at the press briefing include the first Executive Chairman of Agege, Chief Gani Owolabi Dada; former Assembly members, Elder Rotimi Adesina and Hon. Adebayo Ashimiu; APC chairmen in Agege and Orile-Agege, Alhaji Tunde Azeez and Olaniyi Salau Ojo, respectively.

Others are council chairmen of Agege and Orile-Agege, Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi and Mr. Johnson Sunday Babatunde; former sole administrator/vice-chairman Agege, Gbenga Abiola; former party chairman, Alhaji Ayoni Shittu; party leader, Elder Sunday Ajide; former sole administrator of Orile-Agege, James Agbola and Hon. Olubisi Adedokun.

Tears As LASG Demolishes Shops Under Apongbon Bridge

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Apongbon Market demolished

By Akinwale Kasali

Defiant traders are currently counting their losses at Apongbon Under Bridge as the Lagos State Government has demolished shops, kiosks, make shift, shanties and other structures under the Bridge.

Following the expiration of the Wednesday 27th April, 2022, ultimatum given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for all traders under the  Bridge to vacate the area, the Lagos Task Force moved in with bulldozers and began demolition of shops under the Apongbon Bridge.

The demolition is coming several weeks after the Apongbon Bridge was razed by fire due to activities of the traders, leading the Federal and the Lagos State Governments to issue a seven-day eviction notice to the traders with shops under the bridge.

The Apongbon Under Bridge traders were caught unawares as early as 9.00 a.m, when the Lagos State Taskforce  moved  to the site with their bulldozers, and began demolishing the shops.

Security officials assembled at the foot of the burnt bridge in their patrol vehicles, monitoring the demolition of the shops and other structures.

Other shop owners and traders in the shops across the road from the bridge were not allowed to open for business.

Also, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) personnel were on ground to clear the rubble from the demolished structures into their waiting vans.

Owners of the demolished shops  pleaded with Governor Sanwo-Olu to be magnanimous, appealing that the Government relocates them to a new site, as their means of livelihood has been destroyed.

South West Leaders Reject Dr Agunloye As National Secretary Of SDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olu Agunloye

By Ayodele Oni

Dr Olu Agunloye, who swapped his position as Acting National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) and opted to be Acting National Secretary is in for more troubles.

Before his resignation as National Chairman, Dr Agunloye had been suspended by his ward at Akoko area of Ondo state.

Again, the South-West leaders of the Party say they are rejecting the appointment of Dr Agunloye as the Acting National Secretary of the party.

The leaders made this known in a statement in Akure by their spokesperson, Prince Dele Ogunbamerun, who is also the Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the party.

They claimed that Agunloye, a former Minister of State for Defence (Navy), had been suspended by his ward (Ward 10) in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State over alleged anti-party activities.

The party leaders noted that Agunloye’s alleged involvement in anti-party activities and disregard for the party’s constitution, was not acceptable, which necessitated his suspension.

The embattled chieftain and former Minister of Power and Steel, said his resignation was to strengthen the party’s chances ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The party leaders said that Agunloye’s appointment as National Secretary of the party was null and void, following his suspension.

The leaders, however, commended the party for appointing Alhaji Sheu Musa Gabam as the Acting National Chairman, pending its forthcoming Congress.

“We hail the emergence of Alhaji Musa Gabam as National Chairman from the position of National Secretary in the absence of the Deputy National Chairmen and after noting the voluntary resignation of Agunloye.

“The emergence of Agunloye as the Acting National Secretary is on a faulty ground, an insult to the SDP Constitution and embarrassment to party faithful in Ondo State.

“Agunloye has been duly suspended and he cannot be appointed into any position as long as his suspension subsists.”

They urged the leadership of the party to save it from further embarrassment and give the South-West opportunity to nominate a “suitable candidate” for the position of the national secretary.

“While resignation is allowed in the constitution of SDP, swapping is totally not part of our constitution.

“The resolution at the National Executive Council (NEC) is that since a presidential candidate is coming from the Southern part of the country, all party positions for the North in the current zoning arrangements should go to the South and vice versa.

“The implications of this is that what moves is position and not individual, and it can only be effected during the congress.

“Now that Dr Agunloye has resigned, he is neither the National Chairman nor the National Secretary.”

APC Chieftain, Senator Ken Nnamani, Slams Party Over N100m Presidential Forms, Declares Interest

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The Source
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Ken Nnamani

By Gideon Njoku

Political watchers say Senator Nnamani’s entry is not expected to make any impact on an already crowded field, especially, given his age.

A former Senate President, Ken Nnamani has criticised his Political Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, for its price tag on the 2023 Presidential forms.

Nnamani, 73 years old, while declaring interest in running for the seat of the President said: “My view is that we should work towards reducing the cost of nomination for political offices so that we can create an inclusive environment for our dynamic youths and women who may not have access to much wealth but have a great intellect and public spirit to enter into public service through political recruitment.

“I hold the view that high costs of election are not aligned to our socio-economic realities in terms of comparative per capital income and purchasing power of Nigerians.

“But ultimately, the pressure for drastic reduction in nomination fees for public offices will come when citizens and citizens group begin to play more active role in demanding and presenting credible and capable persons for elective  offices rather than allow money bags force themselves into such offices.

“I believe that the nomination fees that parties ask aspirants to pay for elective offices in Nigeria need rethinking in order to improve the inclusion of youths, women and most Nigerians who earn salaries in an economy that has become distressed, largely on account of global economic meltdown and domestic insecurity and low productivity.”

Nnamani said he would back the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to lay guidelines for the parties to regulate the cost of  nomination and campaign expenses.

He, nevertheless, said he would pay the N100m for the purchase of the forms.

On why he is entering the race, he said it was time to deliver hope and prosperity to Nigeria in the “midst of despair and poverty.”

His words:  “A few days ago, I expressed the intention to join the contest for the APC 2023 Presidential Primary. Now, I give firm declaration that I will purchase the nomination forms in a couple of days.

“I am aspiring to be President in 2023 because I believe that at this period of grave crisis, Nigeria needs to be reinvented to be a modern, democratic state that prioritizes the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens; to be restructured from inefficient consumption to production; and to be led with integrity and compassion.

“I, also, believe that every period in the history of a country requires a particular kind of leader. Nigeria faces very tough challenges now more than ever.

“In 2015, we needed a Buhari to take Nigeria away from the misdirection of the Peoples Democratic Party. In 2023, we need a leader who knows how to work across the divides and lead a coalition for competent and dedicated Nigeria to lay foundations for social stability and prosperity.

“My pedigree and previous accomplishments in high office in Nigeria lend credence to the fact that I am a good fit to the challenges of this moment in Nigerian history.”

Nnamani was Senate President during the President Olusegun Obasanjo Government when the South-east which turn it was to produce the Senate President kept changing the occupant of the office as if it was changing its underwears – Senators Evan Enwerem, Chuba Okadigbo Adolf Wabara, Anyim Pius Anyim, Nnamani.

He was, also, the Senate President when Obasanjo’s bid for a third term in office was thrown out by the Senate.

Until the recent past, Nnamani, from Enugu State, was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP before he decamped to the APC under which he is aspiring to the office of the President.

Senator Nnamani is not expected, according to political watchers, to make any impact on his aspiration in a field already crowded by younger and better placed aspirants in both the APC and PDP.

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