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“Don’t Send Names To Me For Commissionership, Don’t Call Me, My Phones Are Switched Off” –  Gov Eno Warns Stakeholders

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Umo Eno - Akwa Ibom State

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has warned stakeholders against sending names to him for Commissionership.

He has, also, dismissed a list of new Commissioner-nominees and other appointees in circulation as fake, adding that those in the said list have failed already.

He specifically stated that  he would submit the authentic list to the Akwa Ibom State House Assembly for clearance in order to reconstitute a fresh State Executive Council.

The Governor had, on Friday, January 10, 2025,  dismissed his foundation cabinet 20 months after assuming office.

Speaking at a valedictory dinner for the dissolved cabinet members  Friday night in Uyo, Eno stressed that anyone desperate to make the new cabinet, who has pushed persons of influence to recommend him for consideration, has lost his chance of being chosen.

At the Friday valedictory Cabinet meeting, the outgone Exco members had themselves moved and unanimously supported the motion for dissolution of the Cabinet.

The Governor sealed their disengagement by dropping the gavel.

He harped on his prerogative to pick his new cabinet by warning  stakeholders not to tell anyone to contact him.

He said,  “Please, don’t ask anybody to contact me. My phone lines are switched off already, and they will remain switched off until names will be sent to the House of Assembly next week.

“Don’t contact me. The surest way to make anyone fail is to send me any name. To appoint people into the EXCO of government is the sole prerogative of the governor.

“There’s first 11 and he (governor) takes responsibility for bringing them on board.

“And their loyalty will be to him and to him alone. If you want anybody not to make it to the EXCO, the surest way is to send the name of the person.

“I have read speculations of those that have already made the list. Thank you for making them fail.

“I can assure this audience that I have not penciled down a name, I don’t know where they saw the name. The only person I would have probably whispered to would have been my wife but she is in Heaven.”

“There Is Ongoing Coup D’état in Edo State” – PDP Alerts

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Monday-Okpebholo

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Saturday January, 11, cautioned the Edo State Government, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, against engaging in acts capable of plunging the State into an  avoidable anarchy.

This is even as it called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently rein in APC and Governor Monday Okpebholo , before it becomes too late .

The PDP’s cautionary note comes on the heels of the alleged impeachment of Oredo Local Government Chairman,Tom Obaseki on Friday, January 10 by some Councilors.

The Source reports that the alleged  impeachment exercise was yet another in many  that have  trailed  the controversial suspension of the 18  elected Council Chairmen and their Deputies on December 15, 2024, by the Governor .

The suspended Council Chairmen are of the PDP extraction ,while Governor Okpebholo is a member of the APC .

At a media briefing on Saturday, the Caretaker Chairman of the PDP  Anthony Aziegbemi, accused  Governor Okpebholo and the APC hierarchy of having absolute disregard for the rule of law.

Despite at least two valid court orders directing a return to status quo, and a veiled condemnation of the suspension order by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Governor Okpebholo has remained adamant.

The PDP in Edo State has pointedly accused the Governor of orchestrating the gale of impeachment rocking many of the Local Councils.

The Party described the development as part of a wider plan by the Governor to cow the elected Council officials, and hijack the Local Government administration in the state against the grains of the Supreme court verdict on Council autonomy.

Friday’s Oredo Council impeachment, according to the PDP was executed by  12 imposters masquerading as Councilors .

The PDP noted that the self acclaimed councillors invaded the Council Headquarters like hired thugs, noting that the action by the APC-led Government in sponsoring illegal activities is  akin to staging  coup d’etat in the council areas.

The party insisted that such unlawful actions as being promoted by the APC  tantamount to courting anarchy .

” We call on President BolaTinubu to intervene because the development is becoming worrisome.

“It is a coup by the APC-led Government in Edo State against democracy. The Edo State Government must be  called to order to avoid a state of anarchy following the outright disregard for the rule of law.

“The latest impeachment was at the Oredo Local Government, where 12 imposters posing as Councilors invaded the council and claimed to have impeached the council chairman ,Tom Obaseki”, the PDP Chairman alleged.

“However, the APC in the State has since rejected the PDP’s allegation that the Governor is responsible for the crisis rocking the Councils .

Rather, it has blamed the unfortunate situation on an alleged ongoing supremacy battle among some centrifugal forces and interests within the PDP itself .

In a statement earlier in  the week ,the APC described the convulsions at the Councils as self inflicted .

ECOWAS Donates Relief Materials To Flood Victims In Bauchi, “30,000 Household Affected”  – Gov

By
Ayodele Oni
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ECOWAS Donates Relief Materials To Flood Victims In Bauchi

By Ayodele Oni

The Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) has donated relief materials worth $200, 000, equivalent to about N320, 000, 000 to the 2024 flood victims in Bauchi State, under the intervention response project.

A High-level delegation from the ECOWAS Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society is in the State to mark the Grand Finale of the ECOWAS Flood Response Project in Bauchi State.

Christened ”Nigeria Grand Finale of the ECOWAS Flood Response Project in Bauchi State”, it is to finalize the distribution of food and non-food items as well as cash transfers to affected households in the State.

Dr. Sintiki Tarfa who represented ECOWAS at the event held at the Government House, Bauchi, said that the emergency flood response project supported 850 households across the most hit areas of Katagum, Jama’are, Zaki, Gamawa, and Giade with a total of 1,000 households projected to benefit from the initiative.

She explained that under the project, each of the 1,000 affected households will receive 25 kilograms of rice; 15 kilograms of beans; 15 kilograms of garri; 5 litres of vegetable oil

5 litres of palm oil; and ₦75,000 cash transfer in addition to essential non-food items that included mosquito-treated net, a blanket, a bucket, a mat, and groundnut oil of 25-litre jerry-can.

“This initiative, funded by ECOWAS, aligns with its humanitarian response framework for all Member States. The ECOWAS Humanitarian response for flood relief in Nigeria began in 2022 and so far a state from each of the six geopolitical zones has been beneficiary of this support.”

One of the collaborative partners, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, recalled at the occasion that the state 2024 flood displaced over 85,000 people, disrupted more than 14,000 households, and left communities grappling with the loss of homes, livelihoods, and for some, a sense of hope.

Nigerian President of the Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, said: “The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and with generous funding from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is here to offer support to those who need it the most.”

Adeaga explained that the cash support was to empower the floods victims to meet their immediate and specific needs, whether repairing a home, seeking medical care, or sending a child back to school, stressing that the project is about more than relief, but also about partnership, and resilience.

Prince Adeaga added: “We understand that numbers can feel impersonal, so let us not think of this as reaching 1,000 households or providing essential food items, non-food items, and cash assistance.

“Behind every statistic is a family—a mother struggling to provide food for her children, a father looking for ways to rebuild his farm, a child yearning for stability and safety.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ECOWAS for their unwavering support, to our partners in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and to the incredible volunteers and staff of the Nigerian Red Cross who work tirelessly to bring these efforts to life.”

Governor Bala Mohammed had, while speaking, said that assessment by the State Emergency Management Agency and other supervisory authorities indicated that the floods had caused large-scale displacement of more than 30,436 households comprising over 293,300 individuals.

He stated that over 52,000 houses were destroyed, and several hectares of farmlands washed away in the floods that had exacerbated humanitarian needs, with individuals, mainly women and children,  exposed to undignified living conditions, including sleeping in open or crowded spaces, exposing them to health risks, with 187 reported casualties including 24 deaths

“Permit me to also place on record our acceptance to take responsibility for all the requisite logistics needed to make this event a success. We have also provided additional intervention for 150 vulnerable households to benefit from food and non-food items comprising of 1 bag of 25 kg Rice; 1 bag of 25 kg maize; 1 Carton of Sphagetti; 1 Carton of Macaroni; a Mat; a Plastic Bucket; and N75,000 in cash.”

Governor Bala recalled that the 2024 floods in Bauchi state followed persistent heavy rains, rise in water whic caused significant infrastructure damage, including roads, schools, health facilities, shelter facilities and other community facilities across 16 out of 20 LGAs of the State.

He revealed that farmlands and other sources of livelihoods were also affected leading to losses in farm produce and affecting food security.

“What makes the situation even worse is the fact that areas on higher ground that were hitherto unaffected by flooding became affected”, he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar admonished the flood-prone communities in Bauchi state to ensure that drainages are cleared and water ways opened as part of the measures to avert future floods disaster in the state.

The Minister noted that with effective collaboration among the stakeholders, Nigeria’s capacity for disaster preparedness and responses would be better suited to address and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

Ambassador Tuggar said, “What has happened has happened, going forward, what do we do? We have to clear drainages, make sure that the waterways are opened, prepare ourselves before the rainy season, listen to advice by the experts”.

He expressed confidence that ECOWAS will continue to support the Bauchi state government in its effort to overcome the challenges posed by the  flooding, and assured that the  ECOWAS unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work closely with the core partners to ensure that the needs of Nigerians are properly tabled at the international fora to get the kind of support and coordination required.

Sacked Kano Commissioner Dumps NNPP For APC

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Abbas Sani Abbas Joins APC

By Akinwale Kasali

Sacked former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, Abbas Sani Abbas, has dumped the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Announcing his defection from the NNPP, Abbas visited the Kano residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, Friday night. He thus joined the rising numbers of defectors from the ruling NNPP in the State to the APC.

It would be recalled that in the past six months, hundreds of leaders of the NNPP from across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano State have dumped NNPP and the Kwankwsiyya movement together with thousands of their supporters.

Tagged the ‘Barau Tsunami’, the defection galore saw thousands of NNPP members thrashing their red caps, the symbol of the Kwankwsiyya movement in Kano State and embracing the APC.

Following the calls by some NNPP leaders that the Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf should take charge of governance firmly in the State, the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Bichi, and five Commissioners including Abbas were sacked last month.

During his visit to Barau, Abbas announced his defection, pledging to work towards the success of the APC across Kano State and beyond.

Senator Barau, who is the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, received Abbas together with the APC Chairman in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas (Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki) and other party leaders.

Barau assured Abbas, a dedicated grassroots mobiliser, of  APC’s unwavering commitment to building a better future for the people of Kano State and all Nigerians.

While stressing that APC is big enough to accommodate all lovers of the country, he said they would continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity.

Reps Score Implementation Of Capital Component Of 2024 Budget Low

By
Ayodele Oni
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House of Reps Members

By Ayodele Oni

With the implementation of 2024 national budget extended by the National Assembly till June 2025, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives has expressed concerns over the poor implementation of the capital component of the budget, which currently stands at just 25 percent.

At an interactive session with the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Shakirat Madein, PAC Chairman, Bamidele Salam lamented the impact of the low implementation rate on Nigeria’s economic growth.

Salam also criticised delays in submitting consolidated financial statements, noting that Nigeria lags behind countries like Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda in submissions of audit report owing to non-compliance with constitutional requirements.

The committee advocated strict measures to block revenue leakages, including automating revenue processes and ensuring transparency in collections from foreign missions.

Dr. Madein attributed delays in financial reporting to incomplete data from the Central Bank of Nigeria but assured lawmakers that efforts were underway to address the issue within two months.

She revealed that the revised Financial Regulations, 2009, are awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council to improve accountability in public expenditure management.

Ondo Electoral Commission Set For LG Poll

By
Ayodele Oni
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Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

By Ayodele Oni

All seem set for the conduct of Local Government Election in Ondo State next week as the State  Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has  began distribution of non-sensitive materials to the 18 Local Government Areas. The election is slated for January 18.

This is just as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa met with candidates of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), in the Council Poll urging them not to be too sure of victory.

Aiyedatiwa charged them that “We have set a strong foundation as a party, and it is now up to us to build on it. This election is not just about winning but about proving that our party remains the leading voice of the people.

“I assure you of my unwavering support as we head to the polls, but I urge you to avoid overconfidence. Let us remain focused and strategic in our approach.”

The Governor also advised the candidates to demonstrate dedication and competence in their campaigns and eventual roles, stressing the need to sustain the impactful governance already established in the state.

“Show commitment to our party and to the people. Our citizens are watching. They want leaders who will not only represent them well but also deliver on their promises. Prove your capacity and capability to make a difference at the grassroots level.”

Speaking on the preparation, the Chairman of ODIEC, Dr Joseph Aremo noted that the commission has successfully recruited and trained ad-hoc staff, who are going to be working on the election day.

ODIEC press officer, Bisi Lawani in a statement revealed that the chairman has also met with stakeholders that are key to the success of the elections.

The Chairman hinted that the non-sensitive election materials required for the election have been distributed  to the 18 local government ODIEC offices, while also reiterating that the electoral body was working with relevant security agencies to ensure the security of the election materials.

Aremo emphasized that the Commission is fully committed to conducting a free, fair credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive election in the state, while urging the electorate to come out en masse on Election Day to exercise their franchise  and contribute to the democratic process.

He advised all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to eschew violence and  respect the rules of engagement.

My Mouth Landed Me In Trouble With Abacha – Obasanjo

By
James Orji
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Olusegun Obasanjo

Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has narrated what led to his clash with ex-military dictator, late Gen Sani Abacha.

Obasanjo has been notorious for criticising any government in power, even though his critics insist that his tenures as Nigerian leader were not utopian in any sense of it.

According to him, his frequent comments on key national issues landed him in trouble with the military regime of Abacha which jailed him.

Recall that Obasanjo was allegedly framed in a coup plot in 1995 by the regime which sentenced him for 30 years imprisonment alongside his former number two, late Gen Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

Obasanjo as Nigeria’s military Head of State in 1976 had Yar’Adua deputized him as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters following the murder of  former military leader Gen Murtala Muhammed, in a coup that year.

While Gen Yar’Adua died in prison, Obasanjo survived his predicament and later had fortune smiled on him by becoming Nigeria’s president in 1999 after the country returned to constitutional democracy that year.

The ex-president spoke  during an interactive session with young future African leaders from different parts of the continent under the aegis of Future Africa Leaders Foundation at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The FALF is organised by popular Pentecostal pastor, Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy.

Obasanjo who traced his rise to power as both military head of state and civilian  president, to the assassination of Gen Mohammed, noted that his incessant critcisms of the military coups during the regime of Gen Abacha made them clashed resulting in his incarceration for four years.

He explained that he did not hesitate to conduct election to pave way for a civilian administration while he ruled the country as military leader, saying he used his tenure to stabililize the country following Mohammed death.

After Gen Mohammed’s death, he said, “We stabilized the country, conducted election and handed over. But when there was incessant coup in different parts of the country, I spoke against Military in general and Abacha’s in particular.

“The consequence was that I was arrested, tried and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment which Abacha later reduced to 15 years but God in his mercy, I only spent 3 years, three months and three days.

“But when I was in prison in Jos, Abacha’s son died and I wrote a condolence letter to him and also when he died, I also wrote a letter of condolence to his wife of which the prison authority found unbelievable but delivered all my letters.”

In and out of power, critics of the former President said,  Obasanjo had never sparred his successors, through various Letters he published criticizing their administrations.

Recently, the former Nigerian leader criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being to corrupt.

Presidency: PDP Made ‘Strategic’ Mistake In 2023, Never Again-Anyanwu

By
James Orji
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Senator Samuel Anyanwu - Sam Daddy

Sacked National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu says the ‘strategic’ mistake made by the leadership of the party made it impossible for the party to win the 202 Presidential election.

The former PDP scribe made the remark while speaking on a programme Nigeria Right Now anchored by ace broadcaster, Dickson Iroegbu.

Recall that the the PDP lost the presidency to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, two year ago, a situation many blamed on the leadership and crisis of confidence among key leaders of the party on who should hold what positions.

The disagreement between the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has been highlighted by political pundits as the most undoing of the PDP in wining the presidency that year.

According to Anyanwu, the PDP made a grave mistake before the election by not putting its house in order. He however said the party is now poised to take the presidency in 2027.

The next presidential election is slated for two years amidst serious contest among top opposition parties in the country to dislodged the ruling APC from power.

Anyanwu said, “We made a strategic mistake in the 2023 elections but what matters for us is to take back the presidency come 2027. And we are working towards it.

“There is no faction in the PDP led by Ambassador Umar Damagum. PDP is the only stable party in the polity. We have done our congresses in about 29 states and there are no issues except few normal minor matters which is in every party. We are on course.”

The senator was removed as PDP National Secretary, last month, by the Court of Appeal which affirmed the domination of Ude Okoye by the South Est Zonal Executive, to replace Anyanwu following his decision to contest the Imo State governorship election last year.

Anyanwu, however, dismissed his removal insisting that he remained in his position.

No Respite For Emirs Sanusi, Bayero, As Appeal Court Orders Retrial

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Aminu Bayero and Sanusi Lamido
Emirs Aminu Ado Bayero and Mohammad Sanusi II

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday,  January 10, 2025, ordered the Kano State Chief Judge to put machineries in motion for the retrial of one of  the cases involving Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and the Kano State Government.

The Source reports that the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, had, on Thursday ,May 23, 2024, deposed the 15th Emir of Kano Aminu Bayero, along side four others of Rano, Karaye ,Gaya and Bichi.

The action was predicated on the hurriedly passed  Kano State Emirate Council laws of 2024 ,by the State Lawmakers.

The unceremonious and controversial deposition paved way for the return of Emir Muhammad Sanusi, who was deposed in 2020, by the immediate past Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

However, the deposition of Emir Bayero and  four others was carried out in utter disregard of a restraining court order.

The development has since triggered a plethora of court actions on both sides, resulting in the ancient Emirate currently having two parallel Emirs– Bayero and Sanusi.

While the Kano State Government- i backed  Emir Sanusi has been channeling their court cases to the Kano state High Court, Emir Bayero and his loyalists have been seeking succor at the Federal High Court Kano.

In one of the applications filed by the Kano State  Government, the  State High Court on July 15, 2024, ordered Bayero to stop parading himself as  the Emir of Kano.

It also directed Emir Bayero to vacate the Nassarawa mini Palace where he has been residing since the commencement of the dispute over the ancient throne.

The Source reports that following the heated tussle for the Emirate seat, Emir Sanusi, with the aid of the State authorities has been holding court at the City palace ,while his rival ,Bayero, is holed up at the Nasarrawa mini palace .

However, dissatisfied with the ruling of the Kano State High  Court, Emir Bayero had sought a remedy at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

In his notice of appeal, Emir Bayero had, among other things, contended that he was not given a fair trial by the trial Court.

He informed that he was neither served a notice of hearing, nor afforded the opportunity to present his own side of the case ,before the judgment against him was entered

Consequently, he prayed the Court to set aside the verdict as delivered by Hon Justice Amina of the  Kano state High Court.

Delivering its judgment, the three-member panel of the Appeal Court led by Hon Justice Mohammed Mustapha, declared null and void, the verdict delivered by the trial Court, noting that it was a travesty of justice

The Appallet Court sustained the earlier argument by the applicant ( Bayero) to the effect that he was not given a fair hearing at the lower Court.

The Court of Appeal  held that Emir Bayero, based on the evidence before it, was not accorded the chance  to defend himself even after his Counsel had withdrawn from the case in protest.

It, specifically, accused the trial court of not being fair to the applicant, insisting that all courts of law are required to provide equal opportunities to all parties to defend themselves.

The Appeal Court panel noted that there was a glaring miscarriage of justice against the applicant.

Based on the foregoing, the Court, therefore, ordered the Kano State Chief Judge to reassign the matter to another Judge for a retrial .

Accordingly, the Court held that there was no longer any need to delve into other issues  raised by the applicant since it has been established that he was not given a fair hearing in the first place .

Uzodimma To Hoodlums: “Stop Killings, Come Out From Bush, Lay Down Arms, I Will Help You In New Life”

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma - Imo State Governor
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.:

“Those who gruesomely killed Imo APC woman leader, Okonkwo, dumped her body in the bush, still at work, says the Governor”

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has appealed to the hoodlums still hiding in the bush to perpetuate insecurity in parts of the State to come out, lay down their arms and join the society in contributing positively to the good of all.

He also promised that government will be willing to assist them in any kind of business  they choose to go into in order to be useful to themselves and the society.

The Governor spoke at the funeral of Late Hon. (Mrs.) Jenny Rachael Okonkwo, a former APC woman leader for Orlu zone who was gruesomely murdered in 2022 by suspected hoodlums and her corpse dumped in the bush.

Addressing the audience at her country home in Ogberuru in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday,  the Governor bemoaned the condition under which the woman leader was assassinated, insisting that the Party and the State lost a gem in her.

Governor Uzodimma prayed for the repose of her soul and the souls of the four other women assassinated alongside with her and proceeded to approve the sum of N10 million for each of the deceased families. He also promised that the Government will be willing to employ any of their children who is employable, or in the alternative train them if they are willing to learn a trade or skill.

The Governor reminded all that Mrs.  Okonkwo was untimely and gruesomely assassinated, not because of any offence she committed, but because she was an APC member who did her job effectively as a woman leader and mobilizer.

“She was one of the best, one of the best organizers and mobilizers, not only in Orlu Local Government but in Imo State in general. A very committed Party woman, who worked, suffered, served the Party and the government, and because of her commitment,  political opponents assassinated her.

“When Rachael was assassinated alongside four others, the senseless political violence and gruesome killings in the area was not known. Those who are behind the political killings in Orlu zone are still at work,but very soon the wrath of God will catch up with them.

“Strangers were used to kill and assassinate their brothers and sisters in Orlu. However, today, with the help of God Orlu people are beginning to see that those behind the killings in Orlu and other areas of the State do not mean well for the State.”

He called on all affected by the death of late Mes. Okonkwo (Iron Lady) to take heart and remain committed to the Party and the State.

“it is a thing of conscience. What one sows is what one will reap. If you shed blood God will judge you, if you are innocent God will judge you, if you are killing for political power God will judge you; at the end of the day you will answer to God.”

Governor Uzodimma condoled with members of APC in the zone and in the State in general, especially members of Camp Hope, and acknowledged that they all “worked and suffered to bring back the peace we are witnessing in Imo State today.”

He noted that though the enemies did their worse, but they have not been able to stop the river from flowing.

He urged all members of APC to remain firm, committed and resilient, saying that as the leader of the Party in the State he “knows those who are very sincere, committed and those who believe in the programmes and policies of the State and they will never regret their sojourn in the Party.

Earlier, Governor Uzodimma had paid a condolence visit to the family of late Mrs. Okonkwo where he met the widower and their son.

Introducing the Governor to the gathering, the member representing Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Canice-Moore Nwachukwu thanked the Governor for coming, describing it as a show of solidarity and support, not only to CampHope but the entire APC in Orlu zone and Imo State in general.

He said the coming together to bid farewell to late Mrs. Okonkwo was symbolic and a thing to appreciate the leadership quality of the Governor.

In his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of Orlu zone, Hon. Chris Mbarie thanked the Governor for coming to encourage and strengthen them in their continued support for the APC in the State, and said the CampHope is stronger everyday despite the challenges and acrimonies of the opponents against them.

He equally prayed for the repose of the soul of late Rachael and the other four persons who were assassinated alongside her.

The requiem mass was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ogberuru.

On  the Governor’s entourage were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband, Chukwuma, former Governor of Imo State, Chief (Dr) Ikedi Ohakim, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Imo State, Barr. Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly and current Managing Director of Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka,  former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, Co-chairman of Southern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze  Cletus Ilomuanya, foremost Leader of APC in Imo State/business mogul, Chief Tony Chukwu, and former State Chairman of APC in Imo State, Chief Barr. Marcon Nlemigbo.

Others were Chief Dona Nwaogu, Amb. Prince Charles Mbachu, Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers,  Senior Special Assistants, and other critical leaders of both the APC and CampHope Organisation Worldwide.

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Emeka Enyinnia, with other members of the Central Planning Committee was also on hand to receive the Governor.

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