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Ikpeazu Sacks Education Secretaries In 17 LGAs, Appoints Replacements

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Ikpeazu Sacks Education Secretaries In 17 LGAs, Appoints Replacements
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has approved the immediate dissolution of Education Secretaries in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem on Monday.

The governor while thanking the affected secretaries for their services wish them well in their future endeavours.

READ ALSO: I Will Replicate My Success As Governor If Elected Abia South Senator, Ikpeazu Assures

He further directed the appointment of new Education Secretaries with immediate effect.

They include, 1. Mrs Uloma Ikpeazu – Aba South.

2. Mrs Gladys Nwamuo – Aba North.

3. Mr Andrew Uche Nwachukwu- Ikwuano.

4. Mr Ugenyi Nnaoma – Isuikwuato.

5. Mrs Ahiwe Ozioma – Obingwa.

6. Mrs Blessing N Nwahiwe – Osisioma.

7. Mr Chigemezu . O.Ananaba – Ugwunagbo.

8. Mrs Abia Ngozi- Ukwa East.

9. . Mr Ekeleme John Obisike – Umuahia South.

10. Mrs Tom Blessing Uchechi – Ukwa West.

11. Mrs Williams Chidi Onyinyechi – Isialangwa North.

12. Mrs Jane Anya Oruada – Ohafia.

13. Mr Ogbonnaya mark O. Mbaegwu – Bende.

14. Chief Nnabugwu Ukaegbu – Umunneochi.

15. Lady Odochi Odor – Isialangwa South.

16. Mr Onyeoziri Clement – Umuahia North.

17. Mrs Nwankwo Patricia Obasi – Arochukwu.

Buhari Govt Most Corrupt In Nigeria History – Archbishop Chukwuma

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Buhari Govt Most Corrupt In Nigeria History – Archbishop Chukwum
Most. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma

Most. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop, Enugu Diocese, Anglican Communion, has again come hard on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, alleging that it is the most corrupt in the country’s history.

Chukwuma spoke to journalists in Enugu on Monday evening, rating the Buhari administration as a failure in the anti-corruption fight.

The cleric said it was saddening that a government that was voted into power owing to its promise of coming to fight corruption and improve the economy, had worsened the state of affairs in the country.

READ ALSO: Dogara Dumps APC For PDP After Declaring Support For Atiku

He said, “When Buhari was coming in, he promised change, we embraced him, but rather than what was promised to Nigerians, what we are seeing is worse.

“Corruption has gone to a high level. There is too much embezzlement and money laundering under this government.

“Corrupt officials who are indicted and arrested are not being imprisoned, even those that were imprisoned by the last administration have been granted pardon.

“We were told about billions of recovered loot, where is it? That’s why I said the government is too corrupt. They are re-looting recovered money.”

ABN TV recalls that the Buhari government had earlier in the year granted pardons to two former State governors who were jailed for stealing public funds.

The former governors, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State governed their respective States between 1999 and 2007.

They were among the 159 convicted persons whose pardon was approved by the Council of State in April this year.

Archbishop Chukwuma described the development as a clear indication that the government was not committed to the anti-corruption fight.

He equally lampooned the government over the spiral inflation in the country, lamenting that essential commodities had gone far beyond the reach of the common man.

“Inflation is now too high like never before. A litre of petrol is now sold between N250 and N300.

“Salaries are not being paid; many States are yet to implement the minimum wage.

“Brain drain is on the highest level, medical officials especially have all deserted the country and the government is just moving on as though everything is normal.

“The only interest of this government is on taking loans everyday, we don’t know how the debt will be paid; we are not even seeing what they are doing with the loans.

“Oil theft has worsened. The vessel that was discovered, why should it be set ablaze, destruction of evidence. Some people are supposed to be fired for doing that but nothing has happened,” he lamented.

On the 2023 general elections, Chukwuma advised the electorate “to look out for people with pedigree to bring us out of this mess. We are in the slavery of corruption, slavery of insecurity, slavery of collapsed education, slavery of inflation, and bad economy.

“It is so disturbing, people are even skeptical that the election will not be held. We should pray for God’s intervention.

“All old politicians should step aside, they have nothing to offer. We want a new wine in a new wine skin.”

He, however, charged Nigerians not to despair but to remain prayerful.

“As we begin Advent, approaching Christmas and New Year, it has become pertinent for me to release this message.

“Nigerians should move closer to God and trust him for intervention. Let us work together to make Nigeria great.”

Meanwhile, he also condemned the attack on some communities in Eha-Amufu, in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, which left several persons dead.

While accusing some security personnel of sabotaging the efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, he demanded the immediate removal of the security chiefs in the State.

“Some of these security men are not helping us, they appear to be sympathetic to those killing our people,” he alleged.

Break The Jinx Of One-Man Rule In Lagos, Atiku Tells Lagosians

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Atiku Still Remains Our Presidential Candidate – Oyo PDP
Atiku

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party,PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has pleaded with voters in Lagos State, to end the rule of one family by voting for the PDP governorship candidate, Abdulazeez Adediran (Jandor), and other state and National Assembly flagbearers.

Atiku spoke at the Lagos PDP Presidential rally held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, yesterday.

Atiku, who promised to privatise the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries in order to generate funds for development, if elected, said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been lying to the people of Lagos State, claiming that its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was responsible for the development of Lagos.

This came as Tinubu mocked his PDP counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, describing him as battle-weary, even before the election.

Atiku said: “On my part, if you elect me as your president, I said and I promised by the grace of God that I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small medium enterprises.

“People were asking me where I am going to get the money. If I privatise the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries I will get the money.

“So, let me also promise you, if you elect me, we are going to restructure this country. What do we mean by restructuring? We will give your state and local government more power and resources. It is up to you to hold them responsible.

“Therefore, the people of Lagos, it is high time you took your destiny into your own hands for your own future, not for the future of one family. For in the last 23 years you are governed by one family.” The rally had in attendance PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa; Governors Douoye Diri of Bayelsa, Darius Isiaku of Taraba, PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; members of the National Working Committee, NWC; Alhaja Titi Abubakar, wife of PDP presidential candidate; and PDP Lagos Governorship Candidate, Dr. Olajide Adediran among others.

Meanwhile, former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, alongside the five PDP governors, who belong to the Integrity Group led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State were absent.

PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ayu, said: “Today, we have brought you hope. People of Lagos, you need to be free from multiple taxes. With Atiku Abubakar, life would be better for you. He would make sure Nigeria becomes greater in the whole Africa.”

He later presented the party’s flag to both the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Jandor and his running mate, Ms. Funke Akindele (Jennifer) at the rally.

Also speaking, Titi Abubakar, wife of PDP presidential candidate, called on residents to cast their votes for the PDP in the coming polls. Lamenting the poverty level in the country, she “suffering would end in Lagos, suffering would end in Nigeria if you vote Atiku.”

Jandor, who spoke earlier, said residents do not want poverty, rather they preferred freedom and were opposed to dictatorship of one man.

“I will put a stop to harassment in markets, roads and everywhere once we come into government,” he said.

I Am Confident Nigerians Will Vote For Me, I’m Ready To Lead — Tinubu

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I Am Confident Nigerians Will Vote For Me, I’m Ready To Lead — Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence in Nigerians voting for him in the forthcoming 2023 election.

Tinubu explained that he was ready to lead the nation because of his lifetime dedication to the country.

The former Lagos Governor spoke at the Chatham House in a lecture titled: ‘Nigeria’s 2023 elections: In conversation with Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, monitored by ABN TV.

READ ALSO: After Avoiding ARISE TV’s Townhall Meeting, Tinubu Delegates El-Rufai, Others To Answer Questions For Him At Chatham House, London

Tinubu spoke on issues ranging from security, brain drain in the health sector, loans for students, plans for youths, employment, addressing oil theft, diaspora voting, education, and economy amongst others.

At the lecture, Tinubu also demonstrated teamwork by delegating questions to his team including Dele Alake, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Gov. Ben Ayade, Betta Edu, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Wale Edun, and others, to also interact with the audience and respond to questions appropriately.

Tinubu vowed to give loans to students in various institutions if elected.

He also promised to build more schools and employ, and train teachers across the country.

“There will be student loans, we will reform the Almajiri system. We’ll build more schools and reform the education sector,” he said.

Tinubu promised to use technology and expertise to accelerate growth and development by providing critical infrastructure.

He said: “The primary duty of leadership in Nigeria, and Africa is how we think of the vision of national development and security that is human-centered, not foreign policy.

“This is the task to which my colleagues and I, have committed ourselves as part of a broader project of leveraging our national assets and natural endowment to nurture and to project a new Nigeria that would be responsible, responsive, and respected driver of prosperity.

“I have confidence that the Nigerian people will go to the polls in a few short months and give me their mandate.

“I’m ready to lead, and govern the country. I will return here to interact with you when the elections are over. I will come not with a long list of priorities for the future but with a plan for collaboration in the best interest of the country — the country I love, and dedicate myself to for a lifetime.

“Nigeria is part of the global community, ready to accelerate its growth, and committed to democracy, freedom and understanding around the world. Democracy is not easy to manage, or promote, we’ve seen challenges around the world but we are up to the task.”

IPOB Debunks Attacking INEC Facilities In Imo

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Biafra Civil War: IPOB Declares Sit-At-Home May 30
IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has debunked the rumour making the rounds that it was responsible for the attacks on the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Imo State.

This was as IPOB noted it was not interested in the nation’s forthcoming general elections, saying those associating it with the 2023 polls lacked adequate knowledge of the principles on which it operates.

The group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement, on Monday, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH. He claimed that security agents were behind the attacks on public facilities and communities in the South-East geopolitical zone to cast it and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network in bad light.

READ ALSO: Another INEC Office Set Ablaze In Imo State

The statement read partly, “We, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, under the command and leadership of the great liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to disassociate ourselves from the recent attacks on INEC office in Owerri Imo State.

“Neither IPOB nor ESN operatives has anything to do with Nigeria fraud elections in 2023. We have never supported nor involved ourselves in any election obstruction or violence as a movement. The only action we can take is to call our people to boycott voting if the need arises. But as of today, IPOB is not interested in Nigeria and its electoral activities and have never asked anyone to carry out any attack on our behalf.

“For the Nigeria government and her compromised police to link IPOB and ESN to their sponsored attacks on INEC offices has shown that they are deluded, misguided, deceitful, and don’t know the norms on which IPOB operations. Nigeria government and her security agencies are working day and night to blackmail IPOB self-determination movement. They sponsor criminals to attack government facilities so they can rush to media to blame the attacks on IPOB and ESN without investigation.

“There has never been anytime that Nigeria Police carried out any public inquiry on all the numerous attacks and arsons that they blamed IPOB for. It’s obvious that Nigeria police have lost every professional ethics and are completely irredeemable, so we call for Nigeria to be balkanized so that progressive Nations will emerge to form responsive and responsible government entities like upright police institutions.

“ESN operatives never attacked INEC office because we are not interested in this Nigeria’s forthcoming election in 2023. Anyone or group blaming IPOB or ESN for any attack on INEC facilities is under the influence of some powerful drugs. IPOB will not spare anybody using our name to disrupt the election, and nobody should link us with those who are destroying election materials.”

It added further that the attackers of public facilities were solely doing so to smear the image of the secessionist group.

“Both government agencies and those attacking INEC facilities are working together to blackmail IPOB. That is why the same security agencies have never arrested any of the so called attackers. Every Nigeria police propaganda and blackmail against IPOB and ESN will destroy what is remaining of Nigeria Police integrity before the public and the international community.

“Biafrans and Nigerians should watch our hands and see that we are not involved in such dastardly act. Nigeria government is using their fulanised police to destroy elections materials and tagging it on IPOB-ESN while we are innocent of all of their allegations.

“Our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has said it several times that he has not asked anyone to carry out any attack on his behalf, therefore no body should link us with the attack on INEC office in Owerri Imo State. IPOB is a civilised and disciplined Biafra independence movement. We are not criminals nor are we part of their election thugs.

“Nigeria government, politicians, and her security agencies are recruiting criminals and hoodlums to attack election materials and linking it to IPOB and ESN.

“Every sponsored blackmail against IPOB will not stop us instead, it will inspire us to press on for Biafra restoration.”

Dogara Dumps APC For PDP After Declaring Support For Atiku

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Dogara Dumps APC For PDP After Declaring Support For Atiku
Yakubu Dogara

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC for the PDP.

This comes barely 48 hours after Dogara and some aggrieved northern APC leaders declared support for the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

This followed several months of political permutations as the Northern Elders Consultative Forum, including the Christian leaders in the All Progressives Congress in the North on Friday formally adopted Atiku.

READ ALSO: Dogara Appointed PDP Presidential Campaign Council Member

According to them, Atiku was adopted following the resolution of the Northern Christian leaders to work with their Muslim counterparts to adopt one of the presidential candidates in a bid to defeat the same-faith presidential ticket of the APC.

Dogara was received into the party during the presidential campaign by the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in the nation’s commercial capital, Lagos State.

In 2020, Dogara dumped the PDP to join the APC.

The development back then was announced to State House correspondents by the chairman of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Committee, Mai Mala Buni, who said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was happy seeing Dogara return to the party.

Dogara, alongside former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and some governors had left the APC for the PDP ahead of the 2019 general election.

Fast forward to 2022, Dogara not only declared support for Atiku but has defected to the opposition party, after the Dogara-led  Northern Elders Consultative Forum, claimed the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC was a minus to the ruling party.

The group had said the leaders took into consideration of the existing structure of the PDP, the capacity of the candidates, evidence of national penetration, religious and ethnic balance, among others to arrive at the decision.

It was observed that the APC and PDP are almost at par in terms of political structure, but the compounding albatross on the neck of APC is the “unfortunate self-inflicted divisive same-faith-ticket which cannot guarantee the desired peace, unity and cohesion in Nigeria, a decision that has been kicked against by a huge population of Nigerians.”

Dogara was appointed as a member of the PPD Campaign Council on Sunday.

In a statement on Sunday, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who also doubles as the Director-General of the PDP PCO, said the appointment was with immediate effect.

Part of the statement read, “The leadership of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council wishes to formally announce that Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has been appointed as a member of the Presidential Campaign Council with immediate effect.

“This is part of our continuous effect in joining hands with our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to recover our great country, Nigeria.”

I Have Received Original Certificate From Chicago University – Tinubu

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I Have Received Original Certificate From Chicago University – Tinubu
Bola Tinubu

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has addressed the controversies surrounding his age, school, and record in the private sector.

Fielding questions at Chatham House in London on Monday, the former governor of Lagos State said he was born on March 29, 1952, adding that those who disputed claims that he was from the Tinubu family could request for a DNA test.

On his academic and private sector records, Tinubu announced that he just received his original certificate from Chicago State University just as he stated that Mobile Oil attested to his outstanding record.

READ ALSO: After Avoiding ARISE TV’s Townhall Meeting, Tinubu Delegates El-Rufai, Others To Answer Questions For Him At Chatham House, London

He said, “At the time of birth, I was dated March 29, 1952, in the family record. Then, I don’t think I had decided to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not even that I would go into politics.

“I’ve had a very good record in life. My record is consistent in the university they questioned. They’ve now confessed that they wasted their money and their time. The record is there, and the transcript is there showing March 1952.

“I’m not claiming another father, I’m Tinubu and Tinubu proper. If they want a DNA, they could as well request for one.

“One of them was even accused of not being a Nigerian citizen, I didn’t touch that area.

“Equally, it remains the same. Chicago State University where I graduated has attested to that. Now, I can announce that I have received my original replacement degree certificate from them.

“Deloitte trained me as an accountant. Mobile Oil has attested to my outstanding record. I got to the pinnacle of my career in the private sector. Who among them can brag about that?

“Yes, you want to wrestle with the pig, you’ve got to live with the dirt. That’s what I’m doing. I got into politics knowing fully well that it is muddy water. Smog will come, and you will have to live with the dirt and make sure you are upright to finish the job.

Asked to state why he avoided engaging in debates unlike his colleagues in the presidential race, he said, “I see myself as a marketable individual. You want to use me to make money and I’m saying no.”

After Avoiding ARISE TV’s Townhall Meeting, Tinubu Delegates El-Rufai, Others To Answer Questions For Him At Chatham House, London

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Gov. El-Rufai Never Said Tinubu Was Too Old To Be President — APC

 The electioneering of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took an intriguing twist on Monday at the Chatham House in London as he delegated some members of the party to respond to questions posed to him.

Tinubu was in Chatham House to speak to Nigerians in the Diaspora on why he should be elected in 2023.

After his presentation which was livestreamed on Arise TV, some members of the audience asked him some questions bordering on insecurity, oil theft, education and economy and how he planned to address crises in those areas if he became president.

As he was asked by the moderator to respond to the questions, Tinubu said he would assign some members of his entourage to do so.

The former Lagos State governor assigned Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State to speak on how his (Tinubu-led) government would address insecurity and asked the Director of Strategic Communication of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Aleke, to respond to the question on oil theft.

Tinubu also delegated a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Wale Edun, to respond to a question on how he (Tinubu) would boost the economy if elected.

I’ll Reform Almajiri System In North If Elected President, Tinubu Assures

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APC Presidential Aspirants Have Abandoned Tinubu, Only Lawan Left With Him — Babafemi

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said he will reform the Almajiri system in the northern part of Nigeria if elected as the president in 2023.

Tinubu made this assertion while speaking at an independent policy institute, Chatham House in London, England on Monday.

Speaking on how his government will attend to make Nigerian youths productive if he wins the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu, said there will be student loans and there will be a conducive template for youths to develop the technology.

Though, the former Lagos state governor did not specify how to achieve it but boasted that he succeeded in turning many liabilities into assets while governing Lagos.

“There will be student loans (for Nigerian students). We are going to reform the Almajiri system. The youth can develop technology language on their own,” Tinubu said.

Almajiri refers to a system of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria where male children and youths leave the comfort of their parents to seek Islamic knowledge.

However, the Almajiri has been widely criticised as these male youths are visibly seen on the streets of all northern Nigerian cities littering motor parks, ATM centres, hotels, brothels, gridlocks and even religious places to beg for alms.

Most of them have been turned into pawns in the hands of the political elite which uses them for selfish interests to the detriment of Nigerian society.

Mayor Lucky Igbokwe Bags Youth Icon Award, Dedicates Award To Abia PDP Guber Candidate

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Mayor Lucky Igbokwe Bags Youth Icon Award, Dedicates Award To Abia PDP Guber Candidate

The youth ambassador of Uche Ndi Abia campaign organization, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe popularly known as Don Lulu has urged youths in Abia State to remain consistent and focused in all they do, assuring that success will one day locate them.

He gave the advice after he bagged the prestigious Youth Icon award at a colorful ceremony organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Umuahia, Abia State over the weekend.

In a telephone interview with our reporter, Igbokwe said he was dedicating the award to the leading PDP guber candidate in Abia State, Prof. Uche Ikonne, because he represents a beacon of hope to the youth, out of the other candidates, and based on his track record of continued successful work with the youth population.

He urged the youths to keep hope alive for a better tomorrow and to trust Ikonne to transform the state and improve their lives via his avowed promises and pledged participatory governance

He said: “To the youths in Abia and anyone starting small; this is a sign that greatness is ahead if you remain consistent and believe in yourself!”

According to him, it was his never-give-up youthful spirit and resilience that has brought him this far, adding that, he believes it’s not how far he has come but how far he still has to go,”

He enjoined the youth to borrow from the spirit of believing that their tomorrow will be greater than today, while urging them to rally massive support for Prof. Ikonne to achieve victory in the 2023 Abia guber poll.

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