Gov. Obiano’s Wife Is In Charge In Anambra – Dan Ulasi |The Source

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September 24, 2020

By Charles Igbo

An elder statesman, Chief Dan Ulasi, has alleged that in Anambra State, the Governor’s wife, Mrs Ebele Obiano, is in charge of state affairs

Ulasi, a former state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a fearless public commentator, who spoke, Thursday, on an AIT morning programme, Kakaaki, said Governor Obiano’s Wife was the one calling the shots in the state.

Without elaborating much, he alleged Mrs Obiano issues orders here and there.

“When you allow your wife to carry on without control, that’s what you get”, he said.

On Obiano’s performance as Governor of the state, Ulasi said the Governor did well in his first term, but not so in his second time because his wife is in charge, and “he cannot control her.”

Ulasi also disclosed that most of them voted for Obiano in protest, for a second term in office, because former Governor Peter Obi dumped APGA, for the PDP instead of building APGA into becoming a national party. He also alleged that Obi imposed a candidate, to run for the Governorship under the PDP.

However, not a few people, including Bishops and Traditional Rulers allege that it was Governor Willie Obiano who asked Obi to leave APGA when both men inexplicably started having issues, especially, over the huge amount of money Obi left on his exit, and how it was, allegedly, drawn down within a short period of time.

Oshiomhole: “They Think I am Down, But I am Not Down” |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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September 24, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Adams Oshiomhole, the sacked National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, says those who think he is down had another thinking coming.

Oshiomhole was, last Saturday, stripped of political relevance in his home state, Edo, when his candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, was defeated by the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki, thus earning him a second term in office.

Oshiomhole had forced Obaseki out of the APC, by seeing that he was denied a second term in office. Obaseki quit APC for the PDP where he found a shelter, and was given the ticket, along with his Deputy, Phillip Shaibu.

He mounted an unprecedented campaign against Obaseki.

But, on September 19, Obaseki prevailed, giving Oshiomhole a second technical knockout within two months, and without relevance in the running of the state.

But in a viral video on Wednesday, which was also his first reaction since his candidate lost, Oshiomhole said he was not down. And that in life, you win some, and lose some.

Speaking, apparently, from his personal gymnasium, and struggling hard to sound strong, Oshiomhole said he worked hard for the election, but God was responsible for the outcome.

Waxing philosophical: “In life, you work hard, and leave God for the outcome. You do your best, and trust God to bless your efforts. I feel good, I feel strong, thank God. In life, you win some, and you lose some. But life goes on.

“A lot of people will be thinking now, ‘Oh Comrade must be down,’ but I’m not down. When God says you are not down, you are not down, and I am not down.”

Most APC members hold Oshiomhole responsible for the loss of the state to the PDP. They insist it was an unforgivable mistake to have denied Obaseki a return ticket.

Onuoha Officially Presented As New Archbishop, 0werri Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion |The Source

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The Source

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September 23, 2020

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By George Best Okoroh

A new Archbishop has been presented for Owerri Ecclesiastical Province. He is His Grace, Most Rev David O. C Onuoha, who also is the Bishop of Okigwe South.

The presentation was made on Tuesday at St Matthias House, Abuja during the 13th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion presided over by the Primate of Nigeria and Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba.

Most Rev Onuoha becomes the third Archbishop of Owerri Province after Most Rev Bennett Okoro and Most Rev Caleb Maduoma , who retired last Tuesday at the age of 70.

Most Rev Onuoha was born to the family of Sir Humphrey and Lady Selina Onuoha, both of blessed memory, of Umuike Lowa in Ihitte/Uboma L G.A. Imo State in November 23 1962.

He had his Primary Education at Central School Lowa and Central School Umuihi before proceeding to Uboma Secondary School Ikperejere where he got his West Africa School Certificate in 1982.

Archbishop Onuoha joined the services of the then Diocese of Owerri as a Church Teacher in 1983. He was trained for the Ordained Ministry at the famous Trinity Theological College Umuahia from where he obtained a Diploma Certificate with distinction in 1987.

Archbishop Onuoha was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1987 and 1988 respectively by Rt Rev S. C. N Ebo, the then Bishop of the Diocese of Okigwe /Orlu. He was also installed Canon and Collated Archdeacon in 1998, and was elected and consecrated the third Bishop of the Diocese of Okigwe South in 2004. He election was at

He holds a B.A (Hons), M. A. PhD, all from the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Married to the lovely Mama Okigwe South, now Mama Owerri Province, Blessing, Onuoha, they are blessed with children.

IPOB Grounds South-east On October 1, Gives Sit-At-Home Order |The Source

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The Source

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September 23, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has given an order to effectively ground all the Igbo speaking areas in Nigeria, on October 1.

October, the 1st, is Nigeria’s Independence Day. The country will be 60 years old that day. It is usually marked with celebrations and fun-fare.

But in a statement on Wednesday, The IPOB called on Nigerians from the Southeast to observe a sit-at-home order on that day.

According to IPOB, the order is aimed at expressing its anger over the bad governance in Nigeria.

Its spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement said that the group has called for a total lockdown on October 1.

“We, the global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce to all Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world, that Biafrans across the globe shall observe a sit-at-home in Biafraland and where permissible in the diaspora, join our Yoruba brethren agitating for Oduduwa Republic, in public protests to mark the October 1, 2020. We, therefore, enjoin all Biafrans and every conscious Nigerian, especially those ethnic nationalities reeling from the triple double blow of state sponsored terrorism, bad governance and economic annihilation, to boycott every government organised ceremony designed to eulogize the failure that Nigeria has become. This is the time to let the world know how disastrously intolerable human existence is in Nigeria today.

“If you want to see an end to terrorism and organised mediocrity, now is the time to register your anger by ensuring that you and your household sit at home on October 1, 2020.

“Do not risk the life and well-being of your children by allowing them to gather in groups in the open where terrorists may find it easier to blow them up or kidnap them.

“There is credible intelligence that terrorist groups are planning to slaughter our children should they venture out to celebrate or march on October 1st.

“This order is to highlight our position and resolve as Biafrans that we are no longer interested in propping up a crumbling terrorist state. The leadership of this great movement in conjunction with supporters of Biafra freedom across the globe have concluded every arrangement to let the whole world know and understand that we are no longer part of this shambolic monument to terrorism and failure.

” IPOB will appropriately declare our intention towards the full and irreversible restoration of Biafra sovereignty and independence for all oppressed ethnic groups in Nigeria.

“Complete and total lockdown of Biafraland and other terror ravaged areas of the Middle Belt come 1st of October 2020 is sacrosanct, irreversible and non-negotiable!

“We, therefore, urge that all markets, schools and businesses in Biafraland and beyond be shut down as a mark of respect to all those who have died as a result of terrorism against innocent civilians especially Christians, ethnic cleansing in Southern Kaduna and elsewhere across the Middle Belt. Everywhere in Biafraland must be under lock for Nigeria and the world to know that we are all united in our march toward total freedom. There should be no public events or ceremonies in Biafraland to avoid any needless loss of lives.”

The FG had in agreement with South-east Governors, proscribed IPOB. But the killings and general insecurity in the country, worsened ny what is seen as the lopsidedness of appointments, have been drawing sympathy for the organisation, especially in the South-east and the South-south of Nigeria.

Imo: Uzodinma Reshuffles Cabinet |The Source

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The Source

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September 23, 2020

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By Chidi Onyewuchi

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Tuesday, reshuffled his cabinet.

For weeks, speculations and expectations had been rife that the Governor was all set to effect a major cabinet reshuffle.

Many party members had, for long, been of the view that the Governor did not assemble a first-eleven, but a political-eleven. They appreciated that, saying he needed to compensate those who were with him while he battled to be Governor, as well as those whose rich relations contributed to his campaign, financially.

But seven months later, the impression has been that he needed technocrats and professionals in some Ministries, not politicians.

When he asked his appointees, a couple of weeks ago, to prepare to render accounts, not a few people took it for granted that it was a pointer to a looming cabinet reshuffle.

When he ended up giving them official vehicles, instead, those who were expectant of a looming reshuffle said it was parting gifts.

But many political watchers disagreed. If he wanted to do away with them, they reasoned, he wouldn’t give them official cars, they reasoned.

They were right.

On Tuesday when he, finally, effected the expected reshuffle, it was an anti-climax. It was very minor. To the relief of his cabinet members, nobody was dropped.

Two members switched positions.

Affected was Kingsley Ononuju, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry who switched position with his Special Projects counterpart, Simon Ebegbulam.

For now, all cabinet members have heaved a heavy sigh of relief.

Ondo: APC Urges Security Agencies To Be Ruthless With Thugs |The Source

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The Source

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September 23, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo has urged Security Agencies to be ruthless while dealing with political thugs. The party also said its members had no need to engage in thuggery on, or before the October 10 Governorship election. “We shall win without resorting to violence”, it said.

The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alex Jalejaye, pointed out that there is an uncoordinated blackmail and tissue of lies by the desperate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to create an impression that the ruling party promotes thuggery.

“The APC wishes to say that it has no reason whatsoever to engage in, or encourage thuggery.

“The Governor of the State and APC flag bearer, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, will never be a man to go about with thugs, guns, or be a party to violence in whatever colouration.

“The APC-led government has thus far won the confidence of the people of the State with an unbelievable capacity to manage resources, and this has led to construction of roads, bridges, the enviable industrial hub at Ore, intervention in agriculture sector, and so on.

“These are what we tell the electorate when we go on campaign. We neither need guns nor cutlasses to do this. Violence and thuggery are not in the character of the ruling party.”

The party noted that It was astonishing to hear the PDP accusing the ruling party of promoting do-or-die approach to election, which is actually their second name.

It added that “the desperation of PDP leaders is responsible for the bulk of crises recorded so far in the State. The so called “Akure Agenda”, because its candidate is from Akure, explains why the members from the capital have severally launched unprovoked attacks on our members.

“The APC also has it on good authority that the unannounced alliance between the PDP and the Zenith Labour Party is geared towards constant creation of semblance of attacks on each other, and blame the ruling party for same.

“The APC urged security agencies to go ruthless on any party or individual that is bent on depriving the Sunshine State a peaceful and rancour-free election.”

$6 Million Fraud: Retired Army Officers Son, Surrenders Self To EFCC |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 23, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

It was an emotional scene when Felix Osilama Okpoh, the son of a retired Army Colonel, surrendered himself to the EFFC.

The suspected fraudster has been on the wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) following his alleged involvement in $6million internet fraud.

But accompanied by his devastated parents, he told the EFCC operatives that he was surrendering himself out of the respect he had for his parents.

EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the development in a statement in Port Harcourt, said the Commission was investigating the matter.

He said Okpoh, alongside Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode and Nnamdi Orson Benson, were declared wanted by the FBI in 2019 for their alleged involvement in a scam in which over 70 businesses in the United States were defrauded of over $6million.

He said Okpoh, on September 18, 2020, turned himself in at the Lagos Zonal Office of the Commission accompanied by his parents.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the police an order for interim forfeiture of a hotel, a bus and home appliances, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Vacation judge Justice Nicholas Oweibo, made the order following an ex parte motion filed and argued by Mr Joseph Ebosereme, counsel to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Yaba, Lagos.

Ebosereme told the Judge that the unnamed hotel at Awori Town, Lagos, a Suzuki bus marked EPE 717 X2, two Plasma TVs and two generating sets belonged to Monday Uvi and Friday Joseph Eze, who were listed as respondents in the suit.

He sought an interim order prohibiting any “disposal, tampering, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienating or otherwise of the asset/properties, reasonably believed and suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

In a bench ruling, Justice Oweibo held: “The application is considered and granted as prayed”.

He adjourned further hearing till October 7.

Killings In Nigeria: UK Lawmakers Report President Buhari To Commonwealth |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 23, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

A group of United Kingdom Parliamentarians have tabled Nigeria’s killing field to the Commonwealth.

The incessant killings have led to the death of thousands of Nigerians, in the past couple of years, especially in the North, and most recently, in Southern Kaduna.

In response, some United Kingdom parliamentarians have reported President Muhammadu Buhari to the Secretary-General of Commonwealth.

The British lawmakers wrote the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland QC, over widespread violence in Nigeria.

Those that wrote include, Caroline Cox, David Alton, Jin Shannon and Helena Kennedy.

According to them, thousands of civilians in Nigeria have been killed and elements of the Nigerian Government may be complicit in the violence.

Others, who signed the letter, are Lord Williams, Lord Carey, Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Phillip Mounstephen, Lord Stoddart, Lord Anderson, Lord Cormack.

Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Ayo Adedoin, Ewelina Ochab, Mervyn Thomas, Dr Khataza Gondwe, Nevile Kyrte-Smith, Dr John Eibiner and Ann Buwalda.

The lawyer sought intervention on the killings in Nigeria, highlighting the helplessness of the current Nigerian administration, and calling on the Commonwealth to intervene and find a lasting solution to the killings.

Uzodinma: Why Imo Is Owing Salaries; To Merge Unviable Parastatals |The Source

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The Source

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September 23, 2020

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By Chidi Onyewuchi

Fears have gripped many people in the Imo workforce as the Imo State Government has set plans afoot to merge some Parastatals it has dismissed as unviable.

The plan for the merger was revealed by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma. To this effect, Uzodinma said he would set up a Committee that will look into the viability of Parastatals and Agencies in the State.

He said those found to be unviable and unproductive will be merged with those that are efficient and effective so as to maximize productivity for increased development.

He, however, quickly assured that no worker will lose his/her job as a result of the merger.

The Governor also explained why his Government is owing workers salaries, revealing that he met a mess on ground when he assumed office as Governor. He said he needed to clean up what he met on ground, promising that as soon as he is done with the cleaning, things would normalise. “Payment of salaries is not an achievement by any Government. It is the right of workers”, he added

Governor Uzodimma spoke at the Executive Council Chambers Government House Owerri when he met with all the Commissioners in charge of ministries, heads of Departments and Agencies of the State, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Accounts, Directors of Administration and Parastatals.

The Governor reiterated that it is not the intention of his government to owe salaries and pensions, noting that the delay noticed few months ago was as a result of what he met on ground in the payroll system when he assumed office. He said the situation was so bad that he was compelled to embark on the sanitizing of the payroll system so as to have an accurate data of all civil servants and pensioners.

He insisted that payment of salaries is not an achievement to any government but rather the right of workers.

He appealed to Imo workers not to politicize the issue of salaries and pensions, noting that by their positions, civil servants are not politicians.

He assured that as soon as the clearing of the mess surrounding salaries and pensions is over, the State will move to the next level of productivity, and appealed to all finance officers, mostly the Heads of Account in the MDAs, to be prepared to do the right thing always or face the music

He also used the forum to say that new Digital Identification cards will soon be issued to all Civil Servants through the office of the Head of Service which will serve as their Social Benefit Number. “It will require you to put your password to access the automated salary vouchers, enter the staff mass transit bus and other benefits from the State Government,” the governor said.

The Governor who emphasized the need for E-Governance in the Civil Service informed that for Imo State to be at par with her counterparts all over the world in a digital age, Government is taking the issue of training and re-training of Civil Servants in the areas of ICT seriously, adding that, “to achieve the sustenance of the knowledge and productivity expected of the said programme, every Civil Servant from Grade level 10 and above will be given a Laptop in the nearest future.”

He appealed to all Revenue Generating Agencies in Imo to assist the government to improve the monthly revenue of the State by ensuring that all monies collected are paid into the Treasury Single Account (TSA), warning that “any MDA or individual found to be doing otherwise will not find it funny with the government.”

The Governor promised that all genuine claims by any civil servant in Imo State in terms of salaries and pensions will be paid no matter how long it takes for such a claim to be cleared from the office of the Head of Service.

He seized the opportunity of the meeting to distribute authentic staff Nominal Roll of the MDAs and Parastatals and requested their heads to go back and make the necessary input that will help government operate an accountable and productive system.

Appreciating the Governor’s efforts towards sanitizing the Civil Service system and ensuring that only those that work for government are paid, the Head of Service, Dr. Camillus Iwuagwu thanked him on behalf of Imo State workforce and pledged their continued loyalty, support and dedication to his administration.

Ondo 2020: INEC Replaces Burnt Card Readers, Ready For Election |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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September 23, 2020

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INEC Logo

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has promised to conduct the October 10 Governorship election in Ondo state as scheduled. Signs that the promise will be kept are beginning to manifest.

The Commission, as part of measures to douse tension generated by an inferno which gutted over 5,000 Card Readers meant for the conduct of the election, at its Akure office about a forthnight ago, announced that it has replaced the Card Readers.

Report from police investigation into the fire incident, blamed it on power surge from a source which linked the cabin where the card readers were kept.

Some opposition political parties had suspected a foul play and called for an investigation into the incident, while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu promised to assist the commission to replace the items.

INEC’s Chairman, Prof Mammud Yakubu, on arrival in Akure on Wednesday, for a- three day visit, to inspect preparations for the election, announced that all the burnt items had been replaced.

He told Journalists that the Commission was ready for the conduct of credible and acceptable poll as witnessed in Edo State.

The INEC Chairman and his entourage, while in Akure, are expected to meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Rufus Akeju and Heads of Departments ahead of the election.

He is also expected to interact with the Media in the state, leaders of the various political parties and traditional rulers.

INEC, fresh from conducting what has been described as a free an fair election in Edo, is expected to perform the same feat in the Ondo upcoming Governorship election on October 10.