The Governor of Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodinma has again cried out over alleged plans by PDP members in Imo State and the former governor, Emeka Ihedioha to distabilize the state, making it appear there is a breakdown of law and order in the state.

The Governor said PDP and Ihedioha have imported thugs from neighboring states to take part in a protest on Thursday, under the disguise of welcoming Ihedioha who was in January sacked by Supreme Court in a judgment that has attracted diverse reactions.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodinma called on security agencies in the state to take note of what he called devilish plan, insisting that Imo is peaceful.

“The Imo State Government is aware of plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to stage protests tomorrow, Thursday during which they will again pour insults on the Supreme Court Judges for refusing to reverse their earlier judgment on the Imo governorship case.

“The government is fully aware of the plan by the PDP to hide under the guise of welcoming ousted Governor Emeka Ihedioha back to Imo to stage the protests. Their plan is to make it look like Imo people trooped out to welcome him and hide under that cover to display placards condemning the Supreme Court Justices for refusing to reverse their judgment in favour of Ihedioha and the PDP.

“From the airport they plan to proceed to Owerri, the state capital to continue with the protests.

“Government is also aware that they have imported thugs from neighboring states for this purpose because the few members left in their ranks cannot make the impact they crave for.

“Government therefore calls on the security agencies to take note of this devilish plot by Ihedioha and the PDP and take necessary steps to ensure that there is no breach of peace in the state.

“Imo people cherish the peace which the coming of Governor Hope Uzodimma has brought to them and will not take kindly any act geared towards truncating it, more so if such acts are deliberate”.

The Governor described as unfortunate the refusal of PDP and Ihedioha to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court that ousted him from office in less than 9 months in office.

“The government notes that it is unfortunate that Ihedioha and the PDP have refused to accept the final judgment of the Supreme Court as truly final and have decided to resort once again to sponsored protests , perhaps to accomplish their earlier threat that if the Supreme Court failed to reverse their judgment, they “would make Imo State ungovernable.”

“From the statement released by Ihedioha after the refusal of the Supreme Court to reverse its earlier judgment, where he said that the Judges of the Apex Court will not go unpunished, it was obvious that he was still up to some mischief. This planned protest is only part of it.

“However, the state government wants to make it abundantly clear that it will no longer tolerate unbridled affront on constituted authorities in the name of the exercise of freedom of expression.

“There must be an end to every litigation and that of Imo governorship tussle which came to an end on 3rd March 2020 cannot be an exception. Any further attempt by the supposed leaders and their cohorts to take laws into their hands will be treated for what it is and those involved will face the full wrath of the law.

“Government advises Imolites to be watchful of the enemies of progress and remain peaceful as it will not shy away from its core responsibility of protecting lives and property”.

Kinsmen of the ousted governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha on Wednesday said they have taken his removal from office as the governor as an act of God.

The people, who conveyed their views through Olu Owerri, a top socio-cultural in Owerri (Zone) Senatorial District, said they were no longer mourning Ihedioha’s exit as whatever God did sanction never came to fruition.

Addressing a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, President General of Olu Owerri, Chief Martin Opara said the people were disappointed in the removal of Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of the state because of their belief that his emergence would have corrected the skewed zoning arrangement in the governorship position of the state.

“But, we have taken his exit as an act of God. Anything God did not sanction or approve will never happen. For us, just like our brother, Emeka Ihedioha, stated in his recent reaction to the review judgement of the Supreme Court, we want to submit to the will of God in this matter and leave everything in the hands of God.

“Owerri Zone has cried for equity and agitated for justice over the governorship seat in Imo State. Since the creation of this state, especially during democratic administrations, we have only had an opportunity to govern this state through Evan Enwerem. But he only lasted for 18 months in 1991. Another opportunity we had was this Emeka Ihedioha outing that was cut short after just seven months on the saddle.

“Whereas Orlu Zone has had 16 years through Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha, who governed the state eight years apiece. Now another Orlu man, Senator Hope Uzodinma is there and is sure to govern for four years. Already, Okigwe Zone has governed Imo for four years leaving Owerri Zone with less than two years on the saddle,” Opara said.

While thanking the people of Imo State for the support they gave to Owerri Zone by ensuring that power was given to Ihedioha through their massive votes, the Olu Owerri leader said, “Let no one lament and blame any zone for what happened because all the three zones in Imo State did their best.

“We had thought that the issue of zoning for the governorship position in the state had been corrected when the people of the state massively voted for our brother, Ihedioha until the Supreme Court did the unthinkable by returning governorship seat to Orlu Zone.

“Our only solace in the short outing of Chief Emeka Ihedioha is that he restored the people’s confidence in governance. He laid foundations for solid infrastructural projects across the state, institutional reforms, civil service and pension reforms. The results started coming in and our pensioners and civil servants started getting their full payments as at when due. Major roads that constituted nightmares to the people of the state such as Owerri-Okigwe Road, World Bank roads, Nekede-Ihiagwa Road amongst others, were being attended to.

“We, the people of Owerri Zone are proud of the achievements recorded by Ihedioha in his short stint as the governor of Imo State. We’re glad the people of the state were happy about that. Unlike what happened last, Ihedioha spread appointments evenly across the state.

“A lot of people criticized him for allowing local government areas choose who their caretaker chairmen became. People also criticized him for allowing the party has inputs in who became commissioners. He was also being criticized for not giving his appointees official vehicles. This shows he laid more emphasis on governance than pecuniary interests. There are other instances where friends also accused him of not favouring them with appointments.

“We want to also place on record that contrary to what happened in 2019 when Rochas Okorocha was exiting office, Ihedioha ordered his appointees to return all government properties in their custody and all of them complied with that directive. This is what governance is all about.

“We want to tell him that he should not despair about his removal but hold his head high. We can assure him that the people of Imo State will vote for him any time he comes out in future to seek their votes.”

Just hours after the dethronement of Emir Of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi 11, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described the banishment as a grave assault on Constitutional Democracy and fundamental human rights.

The Spokesperson of the opposition Coalition (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere gave the indication while addressing news men in Abuja,Tuesday.

Ikenga said,the banishment is barbaric and mundane assault on Emir Sanusi rights as a Nigeria citizens provided under sections 34,35,36,38,39,40,41 of the 1999 constitution as amended adding that,the Emir was not given right to be heard which renders the action of the Kano State Executive Council illegal and unconstitutional

He also stressed that,no Governor or President has right to banish a Nigeria citizen or forcefully move him to any location in violation of right of movement and life except by an order of court.

Ikenga however urged the Emir to seek redress in court to set aside the obnoxious action for the good of the Nation and others who may be treated like him.

The group said, the Emir was not given the right to be heard which renders the action of the Kano state executive council illegal and null and void.

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The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, introduced a bill to ban the use of generators in Nigeria.

The bill which was sponsored by Senator Bima Muhammadu Emagi (APC Niger South), passed its first reading on the floor of the red chamber.

If eventually signed into law, the bill dubbed ‘Generating Set (Prohibition/Ban) Bill’, will prohibit the usage of generating sets in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has sent names of 22 commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening.

The list brings to 23 the number of commissioners that would work with Governor Uzodinma.

The list contains names of mostly former lawmakers and former appointees who served in the previous administrations in the state.

The nominees, as read out by the speaker, Collins Chiji, include: Dr. Mrs. Osunkwo, Iyke Njoku, Prof. V. E. O Ikegwuoha, Barr. Francis Dibiagwu, Doris Akubuo, Dan Oguh and Noble Atulegwu.

Others are C C Osuala, Lambert Orisakwe, Obiageri Ajoku, Nkechi Ugwu, Simeon Ibegbulem, Kingsley Ononuju and Declan Emelumba.

The rest are Enyinnaya Onuegbu, Rex Anunobi, Raph Nwosu, Fabian Ihekwueme, Tony Umezuruike, Iyke Umeh, Mathias Emejuonu and Love Ineh

Having read out the names, the speaker set up an ad-hoc committee for screening of the Commissioner nominees to be headed by Hon Obinna Okwara and urged the nominees to submit all necessary documents.