A community leader and philanthropist, Chief Amobi Ogah on Saturday played host to his supporters under the aegis of Ugo Abia Grassroot Movement at his Isuikwuato home, Abia State with a vow to unseat the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency, Hon. Nkeiru Onyejeocha come 2023.
Chief Amobi Ogah
While decrying that the people of the constituency deserve more than what they are getting at the moment, Chief Amobi who aspired to represent the constituency in 2019 noted that Hon. Onyejeocha who will in 2023 clock 16 years in the House of Representatives has not given the people a good representation, adding that the time for a more engaging representation is now.
In a chat with ABN TV, he said the member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who is barely three years has more milestones to show than Onyejeocha who is about 15 years in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
While dismissing rumours that he has joined the PDP, the CEO Pauli Mama Group highlighted that the people of the constituency cravesl for good governance, adding that he will announce his political family in coming days.
He said the interaction with his constituents is in furtherance of his ongoing consultations, maintaining that his supporters are ready and prepared to have a change of their representative at the House of Representatives in 2023 Irrespective of the political family he may find himself.
Chief Amobi therefore urged his Ugo Abia Grassroot Movement and other political structures to remain resolute in their quest for a more effective representation, insisting that he would dwarf the performance of Onyejeocha’s 16 years in just four years when elected to represent Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in 2023.
He expressed optimism that his support base is strong enough to dislodge the forces that have failed in delivering effective representation to the people in the last 15 years.
“Amobi Ogah is a movement, it’s not just me. My people love me because I have shown them love and commitment to bring positive changes. I believe by God’s special grace, in 2023 I will represent the people of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in the House of Representatives,” he stated.
President Muhammadu Buhari has finally issued a statement on the recent crisis rocking his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
President Buhari
Below is the full statement from the President, signed by his media chief, Garba Shehu;
“President Muhammadu Buhari warns the leaders (and membership) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from name-calling and backstabbing ahead of the oncoming March 26 Convention, remain steadfast and maintain its unity if the party is to continue in the path of victory and its dominance at all levels throughout the country.”
President Buhari asks the members to look at the once-powerful, ”main opposition” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now enfeebled and adrift and learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption.
”They failed in 16 years in power and a failure as opposition.
”Yes, we are entitled to our share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.
”But parties splintered by competing egos destine themselves to the worst possible fate,” the President warned.
”As the country prepares for the long run-up to the 2023 presidential election, we all expect a robust debate on the issues that matter and what is going in the APC should be a reflection of this, not the infighting we are seeing. There must be no more distractions ahead of the convention to choose new leaders.”
He recalled that the APC started with a confidence of victory and the party today enjoys that confidence in nearly two-thirds of our 36 states.
Yet, he noted, this is a party that has been in existence barely for eight years, becoming the dominant party because it has thrown open its doors to defectors from other parties, big and small.
This alone, adding to the fact ”we didn’t start on the note of arrogance of power, nor see government as a vehicle for self-aggrandizement, to be held at all costs, but a vehicle to bring development to all without discrimination-political, ethnic or regional to our dear country made this success possible.”
The party, he went on to note, is proud of the fact that in its short period of existence, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing a few states in 2019, it steadfastly expanded its pan-Nigerian outlook with significant defections of the opposition Governors and parliamentarians into its fold.
”Given all that is at a stake, we can expect contests into offices as we are now faced with to be heated although candidates and their promoters for party offices are not so much debating policy differences of management, personality, character, and suitability for the most important leadership roles in our country and therefore the continent.”
It is equally clear that over the last week or so, the internal management affairs of the APC have been afforded generous media coverage – over and above its importance to the voters of Nigeria.
It is important to ask what benefits the poor are getting during the period of intense negative coverage.
When precisely the party’s convention is held and who is the party’s chairman is hardly a matter for the average voter: vastly more important is who convention delegates will elect as the party’s flagbearer in the coming weeks to take forward the party’s platform to the people in the general election in February next year.
It is therefore important for the media to put such matters into perspective. No one is debating policy differences here. That is for the general election. None of the declared aspirants and any of those that may step forward will change because of who may be in the party in the chairman’s seat. It is essentially the same party.
Of course, the media are welcome to comment on the content of the character of the potential APC candidates; discuss their suitability for leadership; scrutinize their offer to the membership. But to focus on the routine internal divisions and magnify them into what they have become today is a waste of everyone’s time, amounting to no more than a discussion over seating arrangements.
This is not what Nigerians talk of in their communities. They incline only for things that matter.
Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has warned chieftains of the ruling APC to desist making provocative utterances that will further create disharmony and disunity among party members and organs.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
The former Abia governor also said all efforts should be brought together to foster stability in the ruling All Progressives Congress to enhance its performances in the upcoming 2023 elections.
The lawmaker was reacting to a statement credited to the former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman where he accused him (Kalu) of supporting the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni to undermine the March 26 national convention of the party.
While denying the allegation, Sen. Kalu said he has no interest on the personality occupying the position of the party’s chairman, stating that he had always offered his support to the party which happened to have Mai Mala Buni as the chairman CECPC.
He reminded Mr. Lukman that he first cautioned the party against holding any convention in February when issues around its congress which created factions were not resolved, noting that that was what led the APC to losing election in some states.
“It is on this note that I consider it necessary to correct the wrong impressions Lukman must be making efforts to create.
“There has been no time I participated in any collaboration or collusion to ensure that attempts to organise the APC National Convention are blocked.
“It will be recalled that on the December 15, 2021 , I made an appeal to the party and the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee members to consider postponing the national convention earlier slated for February.
” I had warned that holding the convention in February without sorting out the minor disagreements that arose during the Congress would lead to implosion .
“I was worried that , the creation of factions which denied the party victory in so many states in the past elections may repeat itself. I therefore called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis before holding the Convention. No peaceful and tactful leader, would support a terrible scenario to reoccur” Sen. Kalu said.
While praising Mai Mala Buni for doing well as the chairman of CECPC, he made it clear that he will not deny him because of the disagreement in the party, saying Buni has been his friend in the past 25 years.
Sen. Kalu therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to hear from Buni and the acting CECPC chairman and governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello to reach a middle ground so that the party can win together.
“The APC is a very big party with several caucuses . We have the Governors, National Assembly, Businessmen , Youths and Women among other caucuses. The directions and concerns of these caucuses should be taken into consideration at all times .
“Going forward, Whether it is Gov Mai Mala Buni or Gov Abubakar Sani Bello, I would always give the party my maximum support and drive for stronger growth. There is always a danger with a single story and I encourage Mr President to hear the two sides of the story so that the party can win together,” he concluded.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi State Chapter, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party’s nominee to take over the Office of Governor of the state, Iduma Igariwey, to stop arrogating ‘His Excellency’ title to his name.
AOC told Igariwey, who is also a member representing Afikpo North/South Federal Constituency, that it was wrong for him to parade himself as governor.
The APC argued that the lawmaker could only become governor after Umahi had completed his tenure in 2023, and not through a disputable court ruling.
The APC stated this in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ogbuatu Chidi Simba, a copy of which was made available to ABN TV on Saturday.
The statement read, “The attention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ebonyi State has been drawn to a broad daylight insanity and arrogation of the title “His Excellency” by Idu Igariwey to his name who claims to be Governor.
“Ordinarily, we would have elected to remain calm but we see the need to make some clarifications as thus:
“That Idu Igariwey is not the governor of Ebonyi State and can never be as no one has ever become Governor of a State through appointment since the return of democracy in Nigeria and as such should desist forthwith arrogating himself as the governor of Ebonyi State.
“That if Idu Igariwe has the interest to contest which is not possible hence it is not the turn of Ebonyi South to produce the next governor of Ebonyi State, he should, first of all, resign his elective position as Member representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency at the green chamber.
“That he (Idu) should know that the office of the Governor is not for loafers and dementias but for men of great character, honor, and willpower to take their immediate society to the next level.
“That we are very much aware of the frustration that he (Idu) lost the grip of his constituents as a result of his brutish lifestyle and as such his desire to remain in power after 2023 election became truncated.
“We are using this opportunity to remind Mr Idu Idariwe and those misleading him that Ebonyi State still has an active Governor, His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi whose tenure will end come 2023. Henceforth, he should desist from arrogating himself with the name His Excellency and granting of a press release as the governor of Ebonyi State
“That the good people of Ebonyi State are fully determined to defend the mandate which they gave to His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi within the breadth and length of the law if he continues to parade himself in this unlawful manner.”
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Saturday, in Abuja called on ministers and other political appointees seeking electoral offices in the 2023 elections to resign before pursuing their ambitions.
Bukola Saraki
He also faulted the request by President Muhammadu Buhari for the National Assembly to scrap section 84 (12) of the recently signed Electoral Act which bars government appointees from engaging in party conventions and congresses to elect new leaders or candidates, without resigning.
Saraki said this while reacting to a question from our correspondent shortly after a meeting of the National Youth Leader of the PDP with the Zonal and State Youth Leaders at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
His reaction comes barely three days after the Senate, last Wednesday, rejected Buhari’s request seeking the amendment of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act.
The bill had scaled the first reading on Tuesday, despite a court order barring the Senate from acting on it.
The request was rejected after Senator Yahaya Abdullahi made the lead debate for the second reading of the bill.
The senators kicked against it; voting “no” when put to voice votes by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Speaking about the amended electoral act which the President assented to on February 25, 2022, and his subsequent request for the National Assembly to expunge section 84(12), the former Senate President said there is no case for anyone to remain in an appointed office while contesting for an elective office.
“I disagree with that. I mean, why should someone in political office use the influence of political office to contest? We talked about the participation of youths. What chance does the young Nigerian have to contest somebody who’s sitting in public office; has access to power by influence; has access to funds of government?
“If you want to contest, for heaven’s sake, go out, resign and go and contest? Why would you stay in political office? It’s even wrong for us to be debating it. It is so selfish.
“If you truly want to represent this country, why do you have to remain in political office? Step out and contest. And if we are talking about youths, we’re talking about people having an opportunity. What chance does a 25-year-old young man or woman have against somebody who’s a director in a government agency? We should not encourage things like these,” Saraki said.
Saraki noted that the new piece of legislation would empower Nigerians more than ever to seek and elect the right leaders.
Saudi Arabia said Saturday it executed 81 people in one day on a variety of terrorism-related offences, exceeding the total number of executions in the kingdom in the whole of last year.
All had been “found guilty of committing multiple heinous crimes”, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, saying they included convicts linked to the Islamic State group, or to Al-Qaeda, Yemen’s Huthi rebel forces or “other terrorist organisations”.
They had been plotting attacks on vital economic sites, or had targeted or had killed members of the security forces, or had smuggled weapons into the country, the SPA added.
Of the 81 people, 73 were Saudi citizens, seven were Yemeni and one was a Syrian national.
SPA said all those executed were tried in Saudi courts, with trials overseen by 13 judges over three separate stages for each individual.
The wealthy Gulf country has one of the world’s highest execution rates.
Saturday’s announcement marks the kingdom’s highest number of recorded executions in one day, and more than the total of 69 executions in all of 2021.
Operatives of Kebbi state hisbah board on Saturday has seized at least two hundred cartons of alcohol in Birnin Kebbi.
The Hisbah operatives who acted on a tip-off swooped on a particular location around old market area where a car which was loaded with the banned product and was about to be offloaded for sale to the general public was impounded.
This, according to the Commandant of the Hisbah Board run contrary to the laws of Kebbi state which banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in all parts of the state, with the exception of barracks and similar outposts.
The state Commandant Alhaji Suleiman Mohammed who spoke at the scene of the arrest told reporters that the Board will continue to enforce the law until people learn to respect the laws of the state.
He noted that the matter will be investigated further and that the case will be handled in accordance with the law.
He called on those he termed as habitual lawbreakers who drive pleasure in undermining the peaceful coexistence of the people in the state to desist from their nefarious activities.
Efforts to speak to the owner of the seized items Mr Onoh Christian were unsuccessful.
It was gathered that the driver of an 18-seater white coloured Toyota Hiace passenger bus heading to Lagos had a head-on collision with a white DAF Volvo trailer.
Scene of accident
Six passengers who survived the accident which happened around 7:00am sustained varying degrees of injuries.
An eyewitness said the driver of the bus was overspeeding while plying one-way.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara State, Jonathan Owoade, confirmed the development.
He attributed the cause of the accident to speeding limit and route violations and loss of control.
“Twelve of the passengers were burnt beyond recognition.
“We are still at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) trying to sort out the process of depositing them at the morgue.
“But those injured have been taken to the hospital for treatment,” Commander Owoade added.
The Umbrella body of Young professionals from Abia State Nigeria in collaboration with Concerned Igbo Leaders Forum have urged Abia born businessman and philanthropist, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe to join in the race to succeed Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023.
The groups say this call came after it has carefully followed the activities of the United Nations Ambassador of Peace, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe popularly known as Don Lulu where he has deployed massive empowerment scheme to touch the lives of Abians.
The Coordinator of the groups, Mr. Obinna Ndukwe Ibiam in a chat with newsmen in Lagos on Friday said time has come for the people of Abia to look beyond zoning and rally round Don Lulu whom he said is innovative, civilized, young and rich, maintaining he represents the new Abia the people are yearning for.
Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu)
Mr. Ibiam noted that Don Lulu has demonstrated his capacity in the areas of entertainment, real estate, rural development where he made remarkable success, adding that of given opportunity to govern Abia, he will replicate same success in governance.
He further said that Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) has been a close family friend, describing him as humane, articulated, prudent and manager of human and capital resources, who has through his track records proven that doggedness, persistence, consistency and hard work pays in Nigeria’s inconducive and tough business environment.
Don Lulu is the Chief Executive Officer of KeduTV, 2Flame Entertainment, Lucion Towers Construction company, the Don Lulu Foundation and Green Peace Nigeria
He added, “As a foremost definitive voice in the entertainment industry, Don Lulu through his entertainment company have signed some of Nigeria’s fast-rising and top artistes, (winner of Season 1 of Nigerian Idol) to his recording label.
“He has also organized a widely acclaimed concerts that featured popular superstars in the entertainment industry, which in many ways injected life into the tourism and cultural landscape of the state.
“As a stakeholder in the affairs of his state and the country, he has used his influence to galvanize the youths and advance the issues affecting them.
“The Abia Alive Youth Empowerment Concert in collaboration with the state government, remains epochal with many youths gifted with cars and other empowering tools to advance their skills and businesses.
“In a bid to address the plight of the downtrodden in the society, Don Lulu through his foundation unveiled a multi million naira revolving interest free loan for Farmers, Traders, Artisans, Small and Medium Scale Business Owners, to improve their business.
“Aside building different apartments for some Widows, indigenes of Umuawa Alaocha community in Umuahia, Abia state, he has helped build classroom blocks in his community primary school, provided a heavy duty KVA electricity power transformer, as well as initiating several poverty alleviation programmes to address the plight of widows and indigent families.
“Don Lulu’s Lucion Towers Construction Company has also created job opportunities for many Nigerians whilst providing quality and affordable services to its numerous clients.”
He is a recipient of the United Nations Mayor for Peace Award among other several awards for his selfless services and human capital development initiatives .
Lulu who’s is married with a son hails from Umuawa Alaocha in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state in South Eastern Nigeria.
He is indeed an epitome of the relentless, dogged and never-say-die spirit that Nigerians are known for.
Lulu will love to be remembered as ‘living for others.
The primary aims of his Don Lulu Foundation are but not limited to providing access to quality education to children, shelter to the less privileged, widow empowerment, healthcare and reduce extreme poverty especially in Abia State and Nigeria at large. The foundation is controlled by its trustees: Don Lulu- it’s Founder, a board of Trustees and other principal officers.
“DON LULU FOUNDATION has launch its version of the Poverty Alleviation Program, to qualitatively transform the life and education of our children through our Back to School campaign and Scholarship Endowment Fund, Provision of Shelter to the less privileged, widow empowerment and the setting aside of a counterpart funding of whooping 600 million Naira interest free revolving loan facility to Farmers Artisans, Traders among other indigent members of his community and Abians.
Other areas of his decision to give access to quality education through his Back to School Campaign and establishment of the Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Ibiam pleaded with the Founder Don Lulu Foundation to join in active politics and touch more lives directly. He urged Mayor Lucky Igbokwe ( Don Lulu ) to remain resolute and steadfast in his love for human capacity development and avoid unscrupulous elements, who might be discouraging him from synergizing with Abia Government, who called on well meaning Abian, to come home and invest, as well as join hands in the creation of Abia State of our dreams.
The Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion has suspended and withdrawn the ordination license of Rev Lumen Christi Eboh over alleged immorality and insubordination.
According to the church, Rev Eboh made himself a god contrary to his mandate to be a role model as a servant of God with the calling to draw souls of those willing to repent of their sins to Jesus Christ.
Deputy Chancellor/Registrar of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Ben Uzuegbu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated this during a press conference held at the Secretariat complex of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council, Awka.
Uzuegbu accused Rev Eboh of allegedly indulging in immoral acts with women other than his wife, noting that several petitions and complaints were brought against the cleric while he held sway in the Anglican community in the state.
Uzuegbu said the embattled Eboh had impregnated a lady who approached him for prayers and spiritual healing.
He also said the cleric in addition has records of fraudulent activities as well as a lack of accountability while he was in the service as a clergy of the Anglican Church.
He stated that Rev Eboh refused to appear before a panel set up by the church to look into the complaints and petitions against him aimed at resolving the impasse despite several invitations and visits to him by members of the panel.
Uzuegbu said he rather chose to go to the press the day the body submitted its report to the leadership of the church.
He added that Rev Eboh left the communion without giving an account of his stewardship, adding that it was impossible to give details of how much he is owing to the church.
Rev Eboh, had two weeks ago announced his resignation from office as a priest of the Anglican Communion in Anambra State, stressing that some forces in the church had caused his wife to leave him.
He also accused the diocesan bishop, Owen Nwokolo, of alleged witch-hunt, intimidation and land grabbing.
Eboh, who owns a charismatic congregation and prayer ministry known as God in Action Adoration Ministry, alleged that the bishop wanted to take his (Eboh’s) personal land where his ministry is located ” he said.
He cited harassment, instigation and conspiracy by the diocesan authorities of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger, especially from Bishop Nwokolo, as reasons for his resignation.
Eboh noted that his involvement in charismatic activities was at the centre of his conflict with Bishop Nwokolo whom he accused of high handedness, intimidation and conspiratorial manipulations, leading to his decision to resign.
The priest accused Bishop Nwokolo of insisting that the registered trustees of the adoration ministry be altered to include the bishop and his wife, a condition he resisted.
He stated that his refusal to include the Bishop as trustee as demanded and to hand over landed property of the adoration ministry to him set him on a collision course with the bishop.
