Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Youtube
Home Blog Page 2551

Ebonyi Assembly Speaker, Nwifuru To Succeed Me As Governor — Umahi

By
Alex Enemanna
-
0
I've Not Abandoned My Presidential Ambition, Says Gov. Umahi
Governor Dave Umahi

As next month’s gubernatorial primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State approaches, Governor David Umahi has thrown his weight behind the governorship ambition of the embattled Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, as his preferred successor come 2023.

This is coming on the heels of reported opposition by stakeholders of the party from Izzi, Ebonyi, and Abakaliki Local Government Areas of the state.

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora led by Amb. Paschal Oluchukwu, had, on Friday, also kicked against the purported endorsement of the embattled speaker by a group known as Ezza Ezekuna youths and traditional rulers of the Izzi Clan.

Umahi gave the endorsement, on Saturday, at Okposi, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, during the burial ceremony of late Chief Dandy Omoke, a former Chairman of the council.

Umahi, while introducing Nwifuru at the occasion, described him as the next Governor of Ebonyi State.

Nwifuru represents Izzi/West State Constituency.

Nwifuru, who has served as speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly since 2015, is in his third tenure in the House.

He was first elected into the Assembly in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He was subsequently re-elected under the same platform in 2015 and in 2019, before he defected to the All Progressives Congress in 2020, alongside Governor Umahi and 15 other House members.

Commissioner for Information, in the state, Uchenna Orji, confirmed the endorsement, on Saturday.

While reacting to an inquiry by a national daily, the commissioner said Nwifuru possessed the necessary requirements to succeed Umahi, come 2023.

He said, “Yes, the endorsement is true. Nwifuru is our candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi State.”

In some states, the governors have openly rallied stakeholders’ support for their preferred successors, while some are said to be making silent moves, including subtle persuasion and coercion, to have their way.

In Ebonyi State, the APC stakeholders of the Izzi clan, comprising Ebonyi, Abakaliki, and Izzi local government areas, disagreed over who would succeed Dave Umahi in 2023. They expressed their opposition to the rumoured support of the governor for the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru.

Also, the Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora, has decried the purported spates of ‘induced’ endorsements of the embattled speaker by faceless groups, some apolitical actors such as traditional rulers.

The President-General of the group, Amb. Paschal Oluchukwu, stated this in a statement, on Friday, urging the public to ignore social media reports that an Ezza youths group ‘adopted’ the embattled speaker, as its choice for the 2023 governorship election in the state.

According to him, “The news making round various Social media platforms that the embattled Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ogbonnaya Nwifuru was endorsed as the choice of Ezza nation for the 2023 Governorship election merely exposes the level of desperation and ignorance on the part of both the alleged ‘endorsers’ and the endorsee.

“Therefore, the report that some ‘Ezza-Ezekuna youths led by Hon. Victor Nwite, one of his aides, Haggai nwokpor, Prince Chika Igboke, Okwudili Sampson Nworie, Nweke Ikechukwu, and Joshua Nwafor among others endorsed the sacked Izzi-born Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly during a recent Courtesy visit should be utterly disregarded and ignored by every well-intentioned Ezza sons and daughters.”

“The fact remains that the Ezza nation at home and in the diaspora are more determined and focused on ensuring that it produces the next Governor of Ebonyi State in 2023 than some treacherous political foes whose stomachs have remained their gods can ever imagine.”

According to the group, Umahi was working in connivance with ‘these’ faceless groups and non-state actors, to foist his selfish agenda on the state, ahead of 2023.

Recall that Umahi had penultimate week convened a meeting of the stakeholders with the aim of harmonising and choosing two prospective candidates on the platform of the party for the governorship as well as for other positions.

PUNCH

Kidnappers Kill Businessman In Kano After Receiving Ransom, Demands Additional N20m After His Death

By
Alex Enemanna
-
0

Suspected kidnappers operating along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari axis have killed another Kano businessman, Umar Sani, after collecting ransom from his relatives.

The businessman, also called Magaji, was abducted two weeks ago alongside five others on the highway en route to Buruku but was later confirmed killed by his co-abductees despite collecting ransom for their release.

An elder brother of the deceased, Hussaini Sani, who confirmed the death to our correspondent on Friday, also said the kidnappers had called back on Thursday demanding another N20million from them despite killing the businessman.

“Nine of them were kidnapped along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road while on their way to Buruku. They later released three of them but withheld six.

“After some time, negotiation started with the families of the six people, and we later agreed to pay them collectively, only for us to see five of them coming back.

“When we asked them about the whereabouts of our brother, they confirmed to us that he was killed by the abductors. We called them (abductors) using the number they used for the negotiation and they insisted that our brother was still alive, and even went ahead to demand another ransom before they would release him.

“When we insisted that we must hear our brother’s voice before paying something again, they opened up to us that he was really killed, saying he was trying to escape. But his colleagues that were released said he was killed intentionally,” Hussain added.

Magaji is survived by his wife and four children, who presently reside in the Bichi Local Government Area of the state.

His death is coming barely 10 days after the family of another businessman’s corpse was discovered after payment of N6m ransom to his abductors in the same Birnin Gwari.

 

2023: Nigerians Should Vote For A President With Capacity In Economy, Security — Sen. Orji Kalu [VIDEO]

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
2023: Nigerians Should Vote For A President With Capacity In Economy, Security — Sen. Kalu [VIDEO]

 

2023: Nigerians Should Vote For A President With Capacity In Economy, Security — Sen. Kalu [VIDEO]

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called on Nigerians to vote for a President in 2023 who has what it takes to revive the economy and restore security across the country, noting that these should be the two major focal points, ABN TV reports.

According to the former Abia governor, the office of the Nigerian President is about individuals who have the capacity to effectively manage human and material resources and all spheres of individuals.

Fielding questions from newsmen at the National Assembly complex on the state of the nation, the Abia North Senator insisted that capacity and competence should be the yardstick to measure the next president who will take over the affairs of the country in 2023.

“The president should be a president that should be able to work for the Nigerian people. There are two major things a president should look at, the economy and security.

“These are two major areas to focus on, to bring back our economy to path of prosperity.

“The President should be about openness, ability to manage you journalists, ability to manage mechanics, ability to manage professors, manage the legislators with their public experience and capacity to build and bring back the pride of Nigerians to be able to carry the Nigerian passport,” he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria will surmount its current challenges if a credible leader is elected devoid of ethnic or tribal sentiment.

Watch The Video Below…

Buhari To Back A Presidential Aspirant Among Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Kalu, Others Before Primaries

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
Buhari To Back A Presidential Aspirant Among Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Kalu, Others Before Primaries
President Buhari
Buhari To Back A Presidential Aspirant Among Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Kalu, Others Before Primaries
President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari will in May reveal his choice among those aiming to be his successor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, a presidential source has revealed to ABN TV.

According to the source, the President is critically studying the aspirants, their attitudes, actions, backgrounds and others before either making his pronouncement on the issue or directing his trusted aides on whom to queue behind among them.

Some of the aspirants, who have made their intentions known to run for the presidency are Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi; a former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu; and an ex-governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

They have openly declared their interest to succeed the President, whose second term ends on May 29, 2023.

Other rumoured to have presidential ambition in the party but have yet to declare their intentions include the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Buhari had expressed fear that his favourite presidential candidate might be “eliminated” if he revealed the identity.

He said this during an exclusive interview with Channels Television in January, while noting that he had no special interest in the 2023 presidential election.

“It is not my problem,” he replied when asked about the next presidential election.

He stated, “I am not interested. I believe that whoever wins the poll should be sworn in as the next leader of Nigeria.

“All important things have been documented. No one should ask me to appear before the court to give evidence on any issue (public funds). All important things are already on record. I am sure about that.”

When asked about his preferred successor, the President replied, “I won’t tell you my favourite for 2023; he may be eliminated if I mention him. I better keep it a secret.”

The ruling party has fixed May 30 and 31 for its presidential primary election.

The APC, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, dated April 6, notified the electoral body of the dates and schedule of its primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections.

The letter was signed by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

“This serves as a formal notification, pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended. Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly. While hoping to receive your cooperation, please accept the assurances of my highest esteem,” the letter read in part.

However, the Presidency source said there was no way Buhari would allow all the APC presidential aspirants to go into the race without having an input.

He said, “You saw how he handled the race for the chairmanship of the party? Was it rancorous? No, it was not. The President knows what to do at the right time. The man, who is the national chairman of the party today, was not even in the race in the beginning. And he said so when he assumed office. He said he was never interested about a month before the election.

“The President knows the characters of those in the race. He knows their antecedents and what they can do or how they will behave when they get to power. So, he will never allow the party to go into the primary without giving direction. Have you ever seen an incumbent, who is not interested in who his political party will present as his likely successor? Even the governors are equally doing the same thing at the state level.

“So, I am sure the President will speak next month before the presidential primary. He is a tactician. He knows how to handle such a delicate matter.”

Residents Allege Mysterious Death Of Guests, Cases Of Missing Persons In Aba Hotel

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
Accidents: Police Vow To Reinforce Traffic Regulations In Ekiti

Residents Allege Mysterious Death Of Guests, Cases Of Missing Persons In Aba Hotel

Residents of the Ogbor-Hill area of Aba, Abia State have called on the State Commissioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede, state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and other relevant authorities to launch an investigation into cases of alleged deaths and missing persons in an unnamed hotel located in the area.

A resident, Chimuanya Ezenna on Friday alleged that the hotel which is strategically located around Ubani Street, Ogbor-Hill Aba has become a notorious centre for reports of deaths and missing customers with nobody arrested yet.

Ezenna alleged that majority of the residents who reported the cases of alleged deaths and missing persons at the Ogbor-Hill Police Division are now afraid of going further over threat to their lives and failure of the police to arrest any suspect in connection with the cases.

He said that the latest case of death at the hotel occurred on 15/04/2022 when a young lady whose identity is yet unknown was killed and her two-year-old female child stolen by her killers.

According to Ezenna residents gathered from a reliable source in the hotel that her killers are two young men, whose identities are yet to be revealed by the Hotel management even though their faces were captured by the CCTV camera of the hotel.

“Information available to us has it that over seven murder cases have been recorded at the said Hotel since the beginning of this year 2022 which the Director of the Hotel has covered by truncating investigation to save the Hotel’s name.

“At a point in time a few days ago, some youths vowed to set the Hotel ablaze if the killers of the innocent young single mother of one is not unveiled.

“The Azuka Divisional Police Station is currently investigating and has released the Director of the Hotel who has not fed the Police with the necessary information of the killers of lady.

“The incessant killing going on in that hotel and why Police has refused to prosecute the Hotel Management and Staff for Conspiracy and Murder is provoking and the Governor need to do something.”

When contacted, Abia State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed that the incident did happen and the corpse of the deceased was moved to a morgue for preservation while efforts are being intensified to unravel the people behind the dastardly act.

Ogbonna said that the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is handling the matter now and if there is anyone with useful information that can help police to identify the people behind the crime, such a person should feel free to volunteer such information to the police.

He said that people with useful information could also walk into any Police Station in Ogbor-Hill to report what they know about the murder and stealing of the two-year-old child.

Tyson Fury Beats Dillian Whyte, Remains Undefeated

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
Tyson Fury Beats Dillian Whyte, Remains Undefeated

Tyson Fury Beats Dillian Whyte, Remains Undefeated

Two-time heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, has defended his title after beating compatriot, Dillian Whyte, by knockout.

Whyte was knocked out in the fourth round after taking an uppercut from Fury.

Despite trying to continue the fight, referee Mark Lyson called the fight seeing Whyte wobble on his feet.

“This might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King,” Tyson Fury said immediately after the fight.

Details later…

Over 100 Bodies Recovered As Fire Guts Imo Illegal Refinery Site

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
Over 100 Bodies Recovered As Fire Guts Imo Illegal Refinery Site

Over 100 Bodies Recovered As Fire Guts Imo Illegal Refinery Site

At least 109 people were either burnt to death or drowned at Abacheke Kpofire in Egbema community, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State after an illegal oil refinery site went up in flame.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened on Friday night.

It was learnt that scores of people were burnt in the raging fire but Head of Operations of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ifeanyi Nnaji, had earlier said from reports he got from the incident, “the casualty figure could not be more than 20.”

Also six vehicles were said to have been burnt.

Giving an update on the incident, Nnaji said so far 109 bodies had been recovered.

He said,” It was more serious than we envisaged . As at this evening, we have counted 109 bodies on the ground while countless others fell into the river and others died inside the refinery.”

State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, said that the operator of the illegal refinery, Okenze Onyenwoke, has been identified but currently at large.

He however said that the operator had been declared wanted by the police.

Egbema Youth predident Mr. Okenya Theadus Mario confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Owerri Saturday.

He said that on visiting the scene of the incident, he saw charred remains of the refinery operators and their customers.

He said some of the burnt corpses had decomposed and were buried instantly.

NEMA head of operations said that his men visited the site but, “Could only count about 20 persons dead at the site.”

The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Mike Abatham, also confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate.

2023: Goodluck Jonathan Gives Condition To Join APC

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
Goodluck Jonathan, Best President Nigeria Ever Had – Bauchi State Gov
Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan Gives Condition To Join APC
Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan will only be joining the All Progressives Congress presidential race on the condition that he is endorsed by President Muhammadu Buhari, ABN TV has learnt.

Anything short of this would not be acceptable to Jonathan who served as deputy governor, governor, Vice-President and President on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party from 1999 to 2015.

ABN TV had reported in February that some northern emirs had reached out to the former President, asking him to contest. Jonathan had also stayed away from activities of the PDP, including the last national convention.

Former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State had also stated that it was unlikely that Jonathan was still a member of the PDP as he was no longer involved in the party’s activities.

On Thursday, however, posters of the ex-President flooded the national secretariat of the APC on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2.

On Friday, youth and women groups demonstrated outside of Jonathan’s office in the Maitama area of Abuja.

The demonstrators, who arrived in five large buses, held up placards some of which read, ‘Jonathan, Please Run’, ‘Jonathan, do the needful’, ‘Jonathan for 2023’, ‘Jonathan Declare Now’ and ‘Goodluck Please Come Back, We Love You’.

A spokesman for the group, Mayor Samuel, who is also the Convener of the Youth Compatriots of Nigeria, said, “We were deceived and brainwashed by those who claimed they could do it in 2015.

“Now, we know better, under Jonathan the minimum wage could buy one or two bags of rice. What do we have today? We are begging President Jonathan to forgive us, we have realised our mistakes; we want him back to complete what he started.”

Jonathan subsequently invited the leaders of the protesters for a private meeting. After the brief meeting, the ex-President addressed the demonstrators outside, advising the youths to run for office instead, adding that the constitution had been amended as far back as 2018 in order to give the youths a chance to contest.

The ex-President said he was not sure if he would run. He, however, asked them to ‘just watch out’.

 “Yes you are calling me to come and declare for the next election, I cannot tell if I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing just watch out. The key role you must play is that Nigeria must get somebody that will carry young people along,” the former President added.

However, a top source in the APC told PUNCH (not ABN TV) that the former President was seeking an assurance that he would be handed the party’s presidential ticket.

The APC chieftain, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Jonathan has already been President before. So, the APC cannot offer him anything except the presidential ticket. Imagine him contesting against Osinbajo and Tinubu and losing? Wouldn’t that be disgraceful?

“So, he has made his position clear. If he is to come to the APC, he must be given the assurance that he will be given the party’s ticket. That is his demand.”

The source added that the former President may be sold as a “compromise candidate” amid the raging zoning debate in the country.

“Jonathan is the only Nigerian alive that can promise to serve only one presidential term and abide by it because he is limited by the constitution. If he serves one term, then power returns to the North. It is also not an easy decision but I can assure you that President Buhari will have no qualms with a Jonathan Presidency,” he added.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the APC National Working Committee would give special waivers to select aspirants based on the powers conferred on it by the National Executive Committee.

Section 31.3 of the new APC constitution titled ‘waiver’, reads in part, “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking a national party office, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.

“Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking the office of President, Vice President, governor, deputy governor, senator, member of the House Representatives, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.”

The Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act state that anyone contesting a presidential election must be a member of a political party which will sponsor him as a candidate. However, both the constitution and the Electoral Act do not prohibit non-party members from participating in a primary.

However, a member of the party’s NEC told Saturday PUNCH that waivers would be on a case-by-case basis.

Jonathan’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, did not respond to calls.

Abia North: I’ve Facilitated Another 4 Road Projects To Abiriba Community – Sen Kalu

By
ABN TV EDITOR
-
0
Abia North: I've Facilitated Another 4 Road Projects To Abiriba Community - Sen Kalu

Abia North: I've Facilitated Another 4 Road Projects To Abiriba Community - Sen Kalu

The Chief Whip of the Senate and lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed delight at the more than four road projects allocated to Abiriba Community in Ohafia Local Government Area in the 2022 budget.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Senator Kalu said “This is to keep the hope of the people alive by working assiduously to deliver on my promises to my constituents.

“We are determined to facilitate people-oriented projects in our local government areas in the areas of health, education and other required infrastructure.

“In the 2022 budget, I have facilitated the construction of Bourdex road by Bourdex Event Centre, Ebueme Abiriba,
Construction of road at Agboji Abiriba township, Construction of Amaogudu township road, Construction of Agboji- Abiriba road and the 1 Primary School Block at Amamba Ukpo Community Primary School, Amaogudu Abiriba.”

I Only Budgeted N50m For APC Presidential Form, My Supporters Will Assist Me, Says Ngige

By
Alex Enemanna
-
0
Minister For Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige

The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity and presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, Dr Chris Ngige, on Thursday, said he budgeted N50m for the procurement of the nomination and declaration of interest forms of the APC to contest the presidential election.

Ngige said now that the APC had hiked the price tag to N100m, his supporters would support him financially.

The minister, who appeared on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television monitored by our correspondent from Abuja on Thursday, said he had no option but to abide by the position of the ruling party.

Ngige, who was Governor of Anambra State, was also a member of the Senate in the 7th National Assembly.

Describing the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu as “a serious minded person,” the minister recalled his days with Adamu in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Senate.

According to the minister, aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party and other political parties may pay less for forms to contest elections because they were not in the ruling party.

He partly said, “Whether I’m happy with that or I’m not happy with that, that is their own position; they have done their calculation, they have done their work.

“For Adamu to dsay N100m, he has seen certain things. And I was a party official in PDP, unfortunately. I was Assistant National Secretary and Zonal Secretary in the South-East. So, I know the workings of the party.

“Let me give you a typical example. After the sale of these forms and candidates emerge, both governors, senators and others; when you tell them to contribute to the party, you won’t see them. That was our experience in the PDP. That was our experience in the ACN (the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria).

“That was our experience in the APC. I can tell you that. And they have done the right thing by saying that the young folks – the young ones – have a 50 per cent discount.

“For somebody like me, I was budgeting N50m – my supporters and I. But when the thing came out and it was N100m, they started calling me.”

Talking about other presidential aspirants in the APC, Ngige stated, “It will be a touch race but the best man will emerge.”

When asked who the person would be, the minister said, “I don’t know. I’m not a soothsayer but I know that the best man would emerge.”

When asked how he would raise the funds to obtain the forms, the minister said, “I have supporters; I have well wishers, don’t bother about me.”

1...2,5502,5512,552...4,119Page 2,551 of 4,119

Latest News

Popular News Now

Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Youtube

EVEN MORE NEWS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© ©2025 ABN TV All Rights Reserved