Abia police arrest suspected killers of Bakassi vigilantes

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Staff Reporter

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The Abia state police command has arrested three kidnap suspects involved in the killing of four members of the state vigilance group known as Bakassi in Aba, says Leye Oyebade, Abia police commissioner.

The deceased were reportedly attacked in February by the assailants who allegedly ambushed them on Aba-Owerri road in February.

The Bakassi men were said to be returning to their office in their operational van when the hoodlums reportedly opened fire on them, killing three of them on the spot, while the fourth person died later in the hospital.

The vigilance group allegedly vexed the hoodlums, after it reportedly thwarted their attempt to kidnap a prominent businessman in the city.

Oyebade told journalists in his office in Umuahia, that two of the suspects — Chimezie Ezeigbo, alias landlord, and Emeka Ukaegbu, alias smallpin — were arrested while guarding a kidnap victim, one Christopher Duru.

Oyebade said Duru, a resident of World Bank estate, Aba, was kidnapped on March 17 but rescued by operatives from Ndiegoro divisional police station and the Aba area police command.

He said the suspects, which included one Julius Nnachi of Amaetiti Ekoli in Ebonyi, had confessed to the crime.

The police commissioner said his men recovered one pump action rifle, one English-made pistol, seven live cartridges, one .9 mm live ammunition and five cellphones from the suspects.

Source: The Cable

BREAKING: Court rules against former Abia governor Orji Kalu again

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Staff Reporter

A federal court in Lagos has ruled that documents tendered by a prosecution witness in the trial of former Abia State governor, Orji Kalu, and others are admissible.

The defence lawyers had objected to the document, tendered by Onkvah Ovenevoh, a staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, on the grounds that it was stamped and signed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and not the bank.

The defence had earlier objected to Mr. Ovenevoh giving evidence in the trial, but their objection was turned down by the judge on Tuesday.

“I agree that the written document by Fidelity Bank is an original document,” Mr. Idris said in his ruling on Wednesday morning.

“This document is admissible since it is an original document and needs no certification by the EFCC

“I hold that once the letter dated October 13th, 2006, has been validly accepted, the documents attacked goes with it. The letter of October 13th, 2006, and its attachment are hereby admitted as a whole in evidence and marked as exhibit A1.”

Source: Premium Times

Police rescue three-year-old girl sold to three buyers for N600,000

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command have arrested a female apprentice, Grace John, who abducted her boss’ three-year-old daughter, a month ago in Alagbado area of Lagos. The little girl, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, was found in Abia State, where she was sold for N600,000.

It would be recalled that her mother, Mrs. Oluwatobiloba Adebiyi, had allowed her baby to follow the newly engaged apprentice, Grace, who was going to buy snacks, after efforts to pacify the wailing child failed.

But apprehension set in moments later after an endless wait without any sight of Grace and her baby. Grace could not be reached on her phone as it was switched off.

According to a police source, “we used Grace as a bait to get the first buyer in Onitsha, Anambra State. Grace was arrested in Badagry area of Lagos. She led us to where the child was rescued unhurt in Onitsha.

“She called the woman she sold the baby to on phone, informing her that she had another child to sell. The woman came to meet her at a bus stop, where she was apprehended. The first suspect led us to another person she sold the child to for N500,000 in Awka, who in turn, led us to the third buyer whom they sold the child to for N600,000. The third buyer was also on the verge of selling the child to the forth buyer when she was rescued. So far three persons have been arrested.”

As at 5:00p.m. yesterday, Oluwasemilore’s elated parents were still at the Abia State Police Command. Speaking with newsmen, her father, Mr. Elesh Adebiyi, said: “We give God praise and also thank The Guardian for the assistance rendered. Our daughter is hale and hearty. Only that they cut her hair.

“Before she was abducted, she plaited her hair. Aside that, she is okay. We are grateful to the FSARS and the Nigeria Police in general. This feat has further reaffirmed my confidence in our police.”

Source: The Guardian

Ikpeazu approves new salary structure for ABSUTH Workers

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has approved implementation of a new salary structure for workers of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba.

Mr Samuel Kalu, Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), ABSUTH Chapter, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Friday.

Kalu said the workers applauded Ikpeazu for approving the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

He said that the union’s struggle for the implementation of the salary scale in Abia began in 2011.

ABSUTH workers even lembarked on strike on Dec. 19, 2016 to demand the implementation of new salary scale, payment of three years pension arrears to its pensioners and refund cooperative deductions to staff.

He said that Ikpeazu’s good gesture toward ABSUTH had finally erased the six years of salary scale disparity existing within the institution.

Kalu also said the deductions had been released and the pensioners paid one month arrears pending verification to enable them get their pay cheques.

Kalu, therefore, urged staff of the institution who had not heard of the resumption to return and participate in the ongoing personnel audit to enable them get paid.

“We are grateful to Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for giving this approval. We are equally grateful to the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku, he is a good man.

“We equally thank our Chief Medical Director, who led us to that fight and pleaded greatly on behalf of the workforce. We are really grateful to them,” Kalu said.

Abia Government Expresses Concern Over Non-remittance Of Tax By Shell.

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has frowned at the non-remittance of taxes, to the state government by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).

Governor Ikpeazu while speaking at a meeting with the management of Shell at the Government House Umuahia, wondered why the company had neglected the communities where oil exploration activities of the firm, has caused untold health and environmental challenges to the life and properties of the people.

He expressed concern over the attitude shown the multinational oil firm towards the people of the state.

Meanwhile, the leader of Shell delegation who is also the Land East Manager of Shell, Sam Ezugworie commended the governor and said that his company is prepared to collaborate with the state government and host communities to improve things.

He disclosed that the company had in the last six years spent 420 million Naira as its social investment in its host communities and in Owaza, one of the oil bearing communities in Ukwa West.

“I want to state here, that the company has offered scholarships to 457 secondary school students and 74 university students while 210 persons have benefited from the company enterprise development activities.

In addition, the company has also built a cottage hospital and five legacy projects in the last six years.”

On behalf of the host communities, Sam Nwogu hinted that three oil wells in Uzoaku in Ukwa West are tagged to Obigbo in Rivers State without any revenue coming to Abia and pleaded with the Governor to prevail on the SPDC to change the name to Imo River to reflect the community where the oil is produced.

Shell has been operating in Ukwa West local government area of Abia state since 1958, before the creation of Abia State in 1991.

Source: Channels TV

Ex-Abia governor mourns death of media aide, calls for investigation.

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Former Abia State Governor, Senator Theodore Orji, has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged murder of his former media aide, Ben Onyechere, in Owerri, Imo State by yet to be identified gunmen.

A statement signed by the former governor in Enugu on Wednesday, described the alleged murder as despicable and unwarranted.

Orji urged the police to do all within its powers to fish out the perpetrators and prosecute them.

Orji said: “On behalf of my family, I send my heartfelt condolence to the family of Ben Onyechere, my former media adviser, who was gruesomely murdered on Sunday in Owerri, Imo State.

“You cannot imagine how broken-hearted the sad news of his demise has left me, especially the manner in which his promising life was exterminated. It is despicable and unimaginable.”

Orji described the deceased as a quintessential gentleman, a thorough bred professional with heart of gold, adding that, those qualities endeared the deceased to him.

He said: “I still cannot understand why someone will take such precious life in such manner.

“Even though the lives of the assailants cannot atone for his death, I urge the Inspector-General of Police and Imo State Police Commissioner to investigate and ensure that they are brought to book.”

NAN reports that Onyechere also worked as an aide to former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme.

The deceased was said to have been kidnapped on Sunday at about 8pm at Maris Junction in Ikenegbu area of Owerri, where he had gone with his driver for shopping.

Onyechere’s lifeless body was, however, recovered the following morning a few streets away from Maris Junction.

Source: NAN

Abia governorship tussle: S/Court grants Oti leave to appeal Ikpeazu’s victory

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court on Friday granted leave to Alex Oti of APGA to be joined as an interested party to challenge the election of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia.

Justice Clara Ogunbiyi led four other justices to arrive at the unanimous decision.

“The appellant applicant appeal challenging the Aug.5, 2016 judgment of the lower court has merit.

“The appeal is predicated on grounds of mixed law and facts and therefore, this court is compelled to grant it in the interest of justice.

“In the circumstance, the Aug.5, 2016 decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which refused to grant the applicant the permission to be joined in the pending Abia governorship suit is set aside.

“The prayer of the appellant urging this court consider his appeal against Gov. Ikpeazu Okezie is hereby deemed as filed before this court,’’ she said. Ogubiyi also held that granting this leave for the applicant to appeal the decision of the lower court on the matter did not mean that the appeal could succeed.

“The law has established that once an application is challenging a matter on mixed law and facts, justice demands that he or she must be heard,’’ she said.

Justice Dati Yahaya, who presided over the case at the lower court, held that Oti failed to establish his interest in the internal affairs of the PDP.

?The court held that the subject of litigation between Dr Samson Ogah and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who were all members of the PDP, was the primary election of the party conducted on Dec. 8, 2014.

The applicant, the court held, being member of APGA had no locus standi to question the primary election of the PDP.

Yahaya also held that the applicant failed to give circumstantial reasons to sway the court to exercise its judicial discretion in his favour.
Among others, the court held that the applicant failed to transmit the proceedings of the trial court to the Court of Appeal, where his interest was supposed to be established. According to the judge, Oti merely relied on affidavit depositions.

The appellate court further held that allowing the applicant to join the dispute would amount to attempt to change the nature of the suit from an intra-party to an inter party tussle.

Oti had called for his enthronement as governor of Abia, when Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court removed Ikpeazu from office. Abang had in the Oct.29, 2016 judgment made a consequential order returning Ogah as the governor.

However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja unturned that decision by re-affirming Ikpeazu’s election.

Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to the governor, who spoke with newsmen after the session, said Oti had no chance in the ongoing appeals against his client.

He said the decision of the Court of Appeal that re-affirmed Ikpeazu as governor had foreclosed his chances of making anything out of the suit.

“This tussle is strictly an intra-party matter. Oti is not a member of the PDP, only Ogah is in contention. In any case, the apex court is prepared to hear him,’’ he said.

Source:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/abia-governorship-tussle-scourt-grants-oti-leave-appeal-ikpeazus-victory/

Enugu police rescues kidnapped girl sold for N350,000 in Abia

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Enugu State Police Command said that it has burst a kidnapping and human trafficking syndicate that abducted and sold a four-year-old girl in Abia for N350,000.

Ebere Amaraizu, the command’s spokesman, said in a statement that the little girl’s kidnap was aided by a family member from Inyi community in Oji River Local Government Area.

According to Mr. Amaraizu, the little girl went missing from school without a trace at about 12:45 p.m. on December 15, 2016 and was only recovered by the police one month later.

“The report of the missing girl threw the entire family, especially the mother, into confusion and sorrow.

“In the course of investigation, one Miss Chinedu Chukwu, immediate younger sister to the mother of the victim, and her boyfriend, Osunkwo Chinonso, were nabbed for their involvement in the dastardly act.

“They conspired and came in from Anambra to the school where little Chinecherem was, tricked and whisked away to Umuahia in Abia.

“They sold the child at Ihe Olokoro community of Abia to one Florence Nwokocha at the price of N350,000.

“Police operatives on January 16, nabbed Nwokocha who provided information leading to the recovery of the girl from where she was kept at Faulks Road, Aba, awaiting a buyer,” he said.

Mr. Amaraizu said the police had also launched full scale investigation and manhunt for the person who harboured the little girl in Aba.

“All the suspects are assisting the police in their investigations just as little Chinecherem Irechukwu has been reunited with her family,” the police spokesman said.

The mother of the victim, Mrs Irechukwu, expressed gratitude to God and the police for their prompt action which led to the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of her daughter.

“God is at work,” the relieved mother said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

She expressed regret that her immediate younger sister was involved in such a woeful act.

NBS Report: Residents of Abia, Osun, Ondo paid highest price for kerosene in December

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Staff Reporter

Abia, Osun and Ondo states recorded the highest average prices per litre of kerosene in December 2016, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has said.

A report tagged the National Household Kerosene Price Watch for December 2016 stated that Abia recorded an average price of N211 per litre, while Osun and Ondo recorded N210 per litre.

The report, the NBS stated, presented the average monthly price paid by households for kerosene (HHK) across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to the report, states with the lowest average prices per litre include Benue, Gombe and Kogi, which recorded N185. Others are Abuja and Sokoto with N183 and N180 respectively.

For the prices per gallon watch, states that recorded the highest average prices are Lagos, Ekiti and Rivers states with record of N1153, N1142 and N1141 respectively.

Kwara, Niger and Ebonyi recorded the lowest average price per gallon with records of N969, N940 and N938 respectively.

In the past week, scarcity of kerosene, used by millions of largely poor Nigerians for cooking, hit major cities in Nigeria, causing huge increase in price.

Reports had it that the situation caused some residents to turn to alternatives such as firewood and cooking gas.

Three of the most affected cities are Kaduna and Zaria in Kaduna State and Calabar in Cross River State. The scarcity also crept into some parts of Lagos and Ogun states.

Paris refund: Abia begins payment of salary arrears

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Staff Reporter

The Abia state government on Thursday said it has begun disbursing the state’s share of N5.3 billion from the Paris Club refund for payment of arrears of workers’ salaries.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Obinna Oriaku, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Umuahia.

According to him, the decision followed the resolution of the committee set up by the Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for the exercise.

The commissioner said the committee would source extra N700 million to augment the N5.3billion to offset the arrears.

Mr. Oriaku said the funds had been moved to designated banks for the payment while the workers, including council staff, pensioners and teachers, are expected to start receiving their pay by next week.

The commissioner said some workers including primary and secondary school teachers will receive two months salaries while some MDAs will also get their leave allowances.

While commending the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state for shelving its planned industrial action, he said the state government was in talks with the teachers’ union to suspend its proposed strike.

I bought a stolen boy for 100, 000 Naira because I wanted a male child – Suspect

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Police in Abia State have rescued a 4-year-old boy, Obinna Ozuoba, from child traffickers. They arrested two suspects, one Rowland Egbe, 30, and a 50-year-old woman, Mrs. Chioma Ohajinmmadu, suspected to be the boy’s would-be buyer.

The boy, who was lured with biscuits and Gala, has been reunited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Uzoma Ozuoba. According to Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr. Leye Oyebade, Rowland Egbe,was arrested while taking the abducted boy to the would-be buyer.

According to Egbe, he had earlier sold a female child to Ohajinmmadu through a middle-man, Uche, and he was paid N50,000 out of the agreed price of N150,000. However, Chioma wanted a male child, hence the kidnap of Obinna.

He said that he knew the Obinna’s parents and the boy knew him. According to Oyebade, Egbe had earlier sold another boy, Maxwell, two weeks before his arrest. Egbe reportedly worked in connivance with one Uche, who is said to be currently at large.

In an interview the buyer said that she decided to buy the boy because she did not have a male child. According to her, “I paid N150,000 for the boy that was first sold to me. But I gave him to another woman because I wanted a fair complexioned boy whose skin would blend with that of my family.” .

She claimed that she did not know where the woman who purchased the first boy, identified as Maxwell, from her lived, as the business was transacted on the street

Abia guber crisis: A’Court declines judgment on Nwosu, Ikpeazu’s suit

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A five-man panel of the Court of Appeal sitting at Owerri Division, has declined judgment on the appeal, CA/190/ 2016, filed by Sir Friday Nwosu against the July 8, 2016 judgment of the Federal High Court, Owerri, delivered by Justice Ambrose Allagoa, which cleared Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of alleged submission of forged tax documents and false information.

Presiding judge, Justice R. C. Agbo, held that his panel could not hear and decide Nwosu’s suit in view of the appeal, SC/739/2016, Sir Friday Nwosu vs Uche Ogah, PDP, Okezie Ikpeazu and INEC, pending at the Supreme Court.

Other members of the panel, Justices J.O.K. Oyewole, Muhammed L. Shuaibu, Joseph E. Ekanem and Muhammed Mustapha, agreed with the ruling.

“You should go to the Supreme Court and leave us alone,” Justice Agbo ruled.

Counsel to the 1st respondent in the suit, PDP, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, had asked the Court to suspend hearing on the matter because one of the appeals filed by Nwosu at the Supreme Court was similar to the suit before the Court of Appeal.

But Nwosu’s lead Counsel, Frank Unyimadu, stated that Nwosu’s appeal at the Supreme Court was in respect of abuse of court processes which the 4th respondent in the suit, Dr. Uche Ogah, had committed by being a defendant in Nwosu’s suit, and allegedly photocopied documents and exhibits served on him by Nwosu to file another suit.

Arguing further on the differences between the two appeals filed by Nwosu at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, Unyimadu who agreed that the main issue for determination remained who was the lawful candidate of the PDP in the 2015 governorship election in Abia state, described Ogah’s suit as incompetent, stressing that he failed to serve Nwosu even when the Federal High Court ordered him to do so which rendered his suit an abuse of court process.

Counsel to the 2nd (INEC), 3rd (Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu) and 4th (Dr. Uche Ogah) respondents, Jude Nnodum, SAN, Theo Nkire and O.J. Nnadi, SAN, respectively, agreed with the submissions of the PDP counsel, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, that the suit filed by Nwosu at the Court of Appeal was similar to the one he also filed at the apex court.

Farmers, herdsmen clash in Abia leaves scores hospitalised.

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A clash between farmers and herdsmen in Ozuitem community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State has left many residents hospitalised, with large amount of crops destroyed.

The attack came after the Ndiokereke Abam clash of November 8 and is the third in less than one month in different parts of Abia State within Abia North senatorial zone.

Security operatives in the state appear overwhelmed, as no herdsman has ever been paraded or arraigned in the state despite their increasing attacks on communities.

Those that sustained machete cuts in the Ozuitem community attack are receiving medical attention at Tochi Hospital in Uzuakoli.

One of the victims, Mr Sunday Oru, a 40- year old father of seven currently receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, said that the rampaging herdsmen, with over 3,000 cows, have been marauding in the community, destroying farm lands and crops with impunity.

“They arrogantly uprooted farmers’ cassava, okro and cut down plantains to feed their cows while the farmers pleaded that they should to leave the community.

“The pleas fell on deaf ears, as the nomads vowed to rather fight to occupy our land if we attempt to evict them, boasting that they will defeat us and take over our land.

“I went to my rice farm only to discover that cows were openly grazing on it and the herdsmen chased me away when I told them that the cows are causing havoc.

“I ran back to the village to alert other members of the community ,and together in group we went back to the farm

“On getting there, we saw one herdsman and we asked him why they allowed the cows to destroy crops and immediately he blew a whistle and other herdsmen who had been laying ambush surrounded us, hitting us with guns, assault us with rifles and machetes.

“One of them cut off my fingers and started cutting my body with machete. I lost consciousness and only woke up to see myself here at the hospital,” he narrated.

The spokesman for the State Police Command, Mr Ogbonnaya Nta, who confirmed the incident, said the police were on top of the situation while the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Eme Okoro, who is a resident of the community expressed sadness over the attack.

Dr. Okoro said that the herdsmen had threatened to feed on his three hectares of cassava farm with various varieties of cassava.

“I warned the herdsmen never to invade my farm but they told me that the farm is in a forest area and I am surprised, wondering at the nomads audacity to challenge me, a land owner,” he said.

The government official said that he got wind of the possible attack on his community about three days before it occurred and that he alerted the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, but it was disheartening that no action was taken to prevent the attack.

“We are humane and interested in the unity of this country but not to the detriment of our people,” he stated.

Although the Commissioner of Police in the state is trying to tie the loose ends to unravel the reason the herdsmen were allowed to carry out their threat, the people are lamenting the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government over the incessant attacks by herdsmen on the communities in Abia State

Meanwhile, the Ozuitem women who depend mainly on okro as their mainstay had been thrown into hardship as a result of the destruction of their crops which the herdsmen uproot to feed their cows.

Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, American university sign MoU on kidney transplant

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Abali Chuku, Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, said on Thursday that the hospital had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toledo University, Ohio, U.S. for kidney transplant services.

Mr. Chuku, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Umuahia. He said that the services would kick-off in February 2017.

He recalled that discussion for the partnership began in 2015 when he was inducted into the Medical Mission Hall of Fame by the university.

Mr. Chuku said that the university would train eight medical personnel, comprising three doctors and two nurses in the first phase, while three others would be trained later.

The medical director said that the centre was also collaborating with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America for the training of its nurses.

He, however, identified adequate funding as the major challenge facing the centre in carrying out its activities, especially its training programme.

Mr. Chuku also said that the hospital was grossly understaffed and thus, performing below capacity.

He said that the centre needed 236 additional nurses and required more consultants to be able to provide more efficient services to patients.

Mr. Chuku, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government for N500 million take off for the centre to be on solid financial footing and provide optimum performance.

Abia PDP treasurer slumps, dies after playing lawn tennis.

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Chief Steve Omoga, 58, is dead.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Don Ubani, confirmed the death in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Umuahia on Thursday.

Late Omoga reportedly slumped after playing lawn tennis at the Umuahia Sports Club on Wednesday evening and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

One version of the report claimed that the deceased died on the way to the hospital, while the other stated that he died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Darlington Madubuko, told NAN he was not aware of the incident.

Paying tribute to the deceased, Ubani said Omoga was an “amiable, loyal party man” and described his death as “painful”.

NAN learnt that the deceased retired as a Director of Finance in the Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, before going into partisan politics.

Anti-grazing Bill passes first reading in Abia legislature.

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Abia State House of Assembly has begun the consideration of anti-grazing Bill in order to check the menace of suspected herdsmen in the State, the Deputy Speaker, Cosmos Ndukwe, has said.

Ndukwe told a news conference at the Assembly complex in Umuahia on Wednesday that the bill was initiated in response to public demand for a legislation to arrest the phenomenon in the state.

He said the bill, entitled: “HAB 36-Control of Nomadic Activities, Rearing and Prohibition of Grazing Routes/Reserves in Abia State Bill 2016,” had passed its first reading.

Ndukwe added that the absence of anti-grazing law had made it difficult to prosecute herdsmen, who allegedly fomented violence and destruction of farmlands in different parts of the state.

The deputy speaker said the House passed a resolution on Tuesday ordering the immediate retirement of Uzoma Ukeje, a Chief Magistrate in the Osisioma Magisterial Division.

He said Ukeje, who was due for retirement in December 2015, having attained the retirement age of 60, was still in service.

Ndukwe said the House Committee on Public Petition, which investigated the petition against her, indicted her for violating the law on retirement.

He said that following the recommendation of the House, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu directed her to proceed on retirement without further delay.

Ndukwe said that the governor had also in line with the recommendation of the House, dissolved the board of the State Judicial Service Commission, following the expiration of its tenure.

The deputy speaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, said nine bills would soon be passed, adding that some of them had passed first and second readings.

Abia APC rejects delay in local government election results.

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has rejected the one-day gap between the local government elections in the state and the announcement of the results.

The Chairman of the party, Donatus Nwankpa, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Aba on Wednesday that there was no need for the delay.

Nwankpa said that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission should reverse the decision to announce the results of the elections a day after the balloting.

He demanded the immediate announcement of the results of the polls at the electoral wards to ensure free and fair elections.

Nwankpa said his party was worried by the commission’s planned delay, adding that such a gap would create room for manipulation of the results.

He called on the Chairman of ABSIEC, Justice Igbozuruike Akomas, to ensure that his agency delivered a credible election acceptable to all political parties in the contest.

Nwankpa said: “As far as APC is participating in the council polls, the result of the polls must be declared at each polling unit.

“The councillorship will be declared at the ward, the chairmanship election will be declared at the local government secretariat.

“All of them will be declared on the day of the election.

“Any postponement will give room for manipulation of the results.

“If they are not ready to conduct this election, they should continue with their transition committees. ABSIEC must obey the law, we won’t accept anything less.”

The chairman further urged the police and other security agencies to be neutral and transparent during the December 17 polls.

Nwankpa called on them to ensure that the results reflected the wishes of the people, noting that the APC would win a landslide if one-man, one-vote was allowed.

He said: “We have prepared well for the election and efforts are in top gear.

“We urge the police and other security agencies to remain neutral.

“ABSIEC must be willing to follow electoral procedures and avoid announcing results for the ruling party.

“We urge ABSIEC to be neutral, transparent and to ensure that the results will truly reflect the wishes of the electorate.”

UPDATE: “Why I joined APC” – Orji Kalu

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, on Wednesday said he joined the ruling All Progressives Congress to help diffuse tensions that the party is an ethnic or religious contraption.

Mr. Kalu sent ripples through the country’s political atmosphere when he disclosed Wednesday afternoon that he’d cross-carpeted to the APC since Sunday.

He announced his move to the APC hours after resigning from the Progressive Peoples Alliance, a party he established in 2006 and had funded since then.

“If they see us in this place, they will know that that APC is not an ethnic or religious party,” Mr. Kalu said in a press briefing to announce the move.

The former governor admitted that the APC will be a tough sell in the South East, but expressed optimism that it will eventually be accepted after intense lobbying of those that matter in the region.

“It is something that we need to be explaining to the Catholic bishops, Anglican bishops, the Pentecostal churches and the rest of them,” Mr. Kalu said.

Mr. Kalu said he represented an asset to the APC because his move to the party had seen no fewer than 4,000 residents of Abia State join it within the last few days, a crowd he said included two serving federal lawmakers.

“Between Sunday when I registered at Igbere and now, there are 4,000 new members already registered with the APC in Abia without making it open,” Mr. Kalu said. “there are two members of the House of Representatives who are there right now that are joining the APC.

Mr. Kalu stated that he deliberately delayed his move to the APC in order to deprive his political detractors of any ground to launch attacks against him.

“If I had joined at the early times when they were forming the government, it would have appeared as if I want to be part of that process,” Mr. Kalu said. “This is the right time to join.”

Mr. Kalu said his move to the APC was the result of several months of negotiation with the party’s executives, a discussion he said was going on at the same time as when the PDP national leaders were lobbying him.

The politician said he had no intention of running for office but only to serve as a loyal and unifying figure within the APC.

“I am not going to run for any office for now. I am going to be a very good party man,” Mr. Kalu said. “But if the party find me worthy to do anything, I will do it.”

Mr. Kalu’s move to the APC came two weeks after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-arraigned him for corruption he allegedly perpetrated while he was governor of Abia between 1999-2003.

But the former governor appeared to pre-empt speculation that may arise from his decision to join the APC.

“I am sure that you know that nobody can pocket me in Nigeria or make me say what I don’t want to say or do what I don’t want to do,” he said.

BREAKING: Ex-Abia Gov Uzor Kalu Decamp To APC.

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Information reaching Omojuwa.Com has it that the former governor of Abia state, Chief Uzor Kalu has formally decamped to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The ex-governor who today, cut his ties with his long time political party; Progressive Peoples Alliance PPA has made a quick switch to the All Progressive Congress.

He is currently being received, with his entourage, by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun with the NWC Members at the party secretariat.

Details will follow shortly……

Abia Governor Ikpeazu sues for peaceful, free, fair LG polls.

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has applauded various political parties in Abia State for their keen interest in the upcoming local government election slated for December 17, 2016.

The governor particularly commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for conducting peaceful primaries across the state and urges winners and losers to continue to conduct themselves peacefully.

The governor, who also received information on skirmishes witnessed at some locations condemned all acts of violence, regardless of the reason, as the party (PDP) has structures in place for those who feel aggrieved to appeal the outcome of the primaries.

A statement signed by Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, read: “It is important to note that for many years, the state has not conducted polls to elect officials at the third tier of government and many have waited for the opportunity to put themselves up for election.

“Also, as the dominant and ruling party in Abia, the interest of aspirants to vie on the PDP platform is not strange. This was exactly what informed the decision of the governor to approve the conduct of local government elections as well as maintain absolute neutrality in the contests to select PDP candidates.

“Deepening democracy at the local government level is very important in ensuring accelerated even development across the state as well as spread democratic participation and dividends.

“The governor did not endorse any aspirant, as there was no reason for such. Therefore, any claim to such endorsement is false. The Governor will only endorse dully nominated party candidates presented by the PDP. He is bent on providing a level-playing ground for all participants in the elections.

“The governor wishes to assure all Abians that he will do everything in his power to ensure the conduct of a free and fair local government poll on the 17th of December 2016.”

7 Injured as Abia Community Clashes with Herdsmen

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

About seven persons were reported to have sustained serious injuries and are now receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, following a clash between the people of Ndi Okereke Abam in Ovukwu autonomous community of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State and herdsmen.

The injuries, according to sources from the community, were sustained from gunshots and machete cuts. The incident was said to have occurred last Friday. Kingsley Oneyebuchie sits in a Nsukka hospital room on May 5, 2016, after surviving a Fulani herdsmen machete attack in Nsukka, southeast Nigeria. Over the past year, Biafran independence protests have erupted across Nigeria’s southeast where many protesters where injured or killed during clashes with the Nigerian Police and army.

The leaders of the community accused the herdsmen of not only invading their farms with their cattle but also uprooting their cassava plants to feed their cattle.

Narrating the incident, the President General of Ndi Okereke Abam Town Union, Chief Chukwuma Okubi, alleged that the herdsmen were in the habit of leading their cattle into farms. According to Okubi, “they left the grass they normally graze on to destroy the crops which are our only source of livelihood.”

He said that the community had in the past asked the herdsmen to leave the community due to their destructive activities, but that they later returned with a promise not to destroy the crops, saying that they had kept their promise of living peacefully until Friday.

He said: “Last Friday, when one of our men went to his rice farm with his family members to harvest their rice, he saw that the herdsmen had led their cattle to feed on the crop.

“The plea of the farmer to the herdsmen to take the cattle away from the rice farm fell on deaf ears. Instead, they inflicted machete cuts on the man.”

According to him, the alarm raised by the family attracted the attention of youths, who engaged the herdsmen, “who opened fire on the youths, leaving six of them fatally wounded.”

He said the timely arrival of the state Chairman of the Farmers/Herdsmen Committee and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, and the team of policemen from Arochukwu, led by the Divisional Police Officer saved the community from more casualties.

NSCDC rescues 3 children from Kidnappers in Abia.

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State command, has rescued three children (two female and one male of ages between 10 and 11), from the hands of kidnappers and ritualists in Abia state.

The victims whose names were not disclosed were rescued around Aba and Obingwa area of the state following a tip off

According to the command, the suspects were believed to have entered the state through neighbouring states of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River with their collaborators in Abia State, disguising as scavengers.

The State Commandant, Walter Akubiro Chika, who spoke through the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, Uchenwa Oliver, disclosed that the criminals often disguised as scavengers at refuse dump sites at Aba and Obi-Ngwa areas of the state to execute their criminal act.

“They mesmerized teenagers coming to dump refuse in the areas, tie them with iron binders in an uncompleted building within the areas in anticipation of ransoms from their would-be buyers”, he? said.

The state commandant lamenting the rate of such cases in the state and appealed to the general public, particularly parents, to be watchful of their children, especially when they send them on errands.

Police sergeant, who led robbery gang, arrested in Abia.

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A police sergeant, Matthew Elah, of the Rivers State command, has been arrested over his alleged involvement in a robbery operation in Abia state.

The sergeant, attached to the Department of Operations in Port Harcourt, was arrested in Abia State, following a tip-off after a robbery incident at Akwette community in Ukwa East Local Government Area.

According to the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP, Leye Oyebade, the suspect, a native of Uba community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, was arrested following a report that some police men robbed and snatched a motorcycle from the owner at Umuteke-Akwette road Abia State.

The CP paraded the suspects before newsmen on Monday at the state police headquarters in Umuahia, saying the suspect had confessed to committing the crime with another Police sergeant, one Isah Alhaji of 48, Police Mobile Force Ahoda, Rivers State, who is now on the run.

He said, “The command is after the fleeing police man and efforts are on to recover the stolen motorcycle.

“The suspect would soon be arraigned in court as police have zero tolerance for corruption or crime of any kind.”

The suspect, in his confession, blamed the act on the devil.

According to him, he was escorting those who stole the motorcycle when the police swooped on them and arrested him while his colleagues ran away.

Stop EFCC from transferring my case to Lagos – Kalu tells court

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday asked the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from transferring his case from the Abuja Division of the court to Lagos.

Kalu is, therefore, seeking an order of mandamus compelling the EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation to try him in the Abuja division of the court.

The applicant, in a motion ex parte brought pursuant to order 34 Rule 1 [a] and 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil procedure) rules, 2009; and section 6[6] [a] of the 1999 Constitution, sought the leave of court to apply for the issuance of an order of mandamus compelling the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to remit suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07- Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs. Orji Uzor Kalu & 2Ors, which was transferred from the Abuja division of the court to Lagos back to Abuja for continuation of hearing.

In the application filed through his legal team comprising Awa Kalu (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Solomon Akuma (SAN), Chief Nwufo (SAN) and Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), Kalu also asked for an order that the leave so granted shall operate as a stay of all actions, matters or issues ancillary to or relating to or pertaining to or connected with the case, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Attached to the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/845/2016 is a supporting affidavit of 16 paragraphs and an affidavit of urgency deposed to by one Ikechukwu Njoku, a legal practitioner.

The deponent averred that the suit brought against the applicant was commenced in 2007 after he left office as Governor of Abia State.

He added that after office, the applicant did not contest any elective office because he wanted to retire to private life and quiet life in his village, Igbere in Abia State.

According to the deponent, “due to the case brought against him by the EFCC, he temporarily relocated to Abuja to face trial alongside others charged with him.

“After he entered his plea of not guilty to all the charges and was subsequently granted bail by the court, his trial was delayed by some interlocutory applications that travelled to the Supreme Court.

“That in 2016, the Supreme Court ordered that the case be returned to the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for trial. “That acting in strict compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta (3rd respondent), assigned the case to Justice Anuli Chikere for trial.

“It is the case of the applicant that all parties appeared before Justice Chikere on two occasions and the matter was adjourned due to pending appeal before the Supreme Court.”

The deponent further averred in the supporting affidavit that on the third occasion, the court ordered that the defendant (Kalu) alongside others should take their plea, which they did and were admitted on bail.

“That the court, alongside the prosecution and defence team, agreed for three clear dates and the matter was adjourned to December 6, 7, and 8, 2016 for definite trial, thereafter, all the parties left the court to prepare for adjourned dates.

“Surprisingly and without consultation with other parties and defence team of the applicant, the EFCC (1strespondent) which is the prosecuting agency approached the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (3rdrespondent) and asked for a transfer of the case to Lagos judicial division of the Federal High Court,” he averred.

The applicant further stated that the 3rd respondent yielded to their request and transferred the matter to Lagos judicial division of the Federal High Court. It is the deposition of the applicant that upon becoming aware that the 3rd respondent has transferred the case to Lagos judicial division of the Federal High Court, he petitioned the acting chairman of the 1st respondent (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, through one of his counsel, Amobi Nzelu.

Furthermore, the applicant also submitted that he has been standing trial in the matter since 2007 and has never failed to appear in court on any of the adjourned dates and expressed his willingness to face his trial before any judge in Abuja or worst still in Umuahia where the offences were allegedly committed.

He contended that while the 2nd respondent (AGF) has constitutional powers to initiate, maintain and discontinue any criminal action in court, such powers cannot be used for persecution other than for prosecution.

He further argued that transferring a nine-yearold case from Abuja to Lagos is for persecution and not prosecution.

While accusing the prosecuting agency of engaging in forum shopping for a convenient court to convict him, he averred that he temporarily resides in Abuja and his team of lawyers resides in Abuja.

Ogun, Enugu, Abia teachers want better remuneration

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Ogun State teachers have asked for better condition of service and remuneration. They made the appeal in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the ceremony to mark the World Teachers’ Day.

Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Dare Ilekoya, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues in Abeokuta, the capital, said that the time had come for both the federal and state governments to accord them the “necessary” recognition.

His words: “The teachers as veritable agents of change need to be empowered both financially and intellectually. It is time to re-appraise the roles of teachers and accord them the necessary recognition without struggle.”

Governor Ibikunle Amosun assured the teachers that his administration would continue to create a good and conducive environment for them to operate.

Amosun, represented by his Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, called on stakeholders to join hands with the government to move the sector forward.

But the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Akeem Ambali, said the union would not go back on the 21-day ultimatum given to Amosun government to address the issue of unpaid allowances of the state workforce.

In Enugu, teachers bemoaned the age-long non-payment of retirement or death benefits to retired teachers and next-of-kin of the deceased teachers.They lamented that the last time gratuity was paid to primary and secondary school teachers in the state was in 2002 and 2009 respectively.

Represented by the state Chairman of the NUT, Ozor Paul Nnaji, the teachers decried the fact that even pension was not paid on regular basis, particularly as it concerned retired primary school teachers who might have to stay for some months without it after retirement. Abia teachers urged the state government to ensure that their rights were given to them.

The state NUT chairman, Akparanta Chizobem, who stated this in his address to mark the day, disclosed that primary and secondary school teachers were owed four months and five months salaries respectively.

He said: “We humbly appeal to government to value the teacher and improve on his status to give his best to better the society, as the working condition of the teacher is the learning condition of the child.”

Following The Lagos Trail, Abia State Bans Street Trading.

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Abia State government, yesterday, said it would Monday, August 8, begin the enforcement of the ban on street trading in the state and advised traders to relocate to approved sites, even as it extended the operational hours of tricycle (Keke) operators in the state from 7pm to 9pm.

Chairman of the Abia State Market Development Committee, ASMDC, Mr. Solomon Nwaigwe, who stated this while addressing phone and accessories dealers at St. Michael’s Road, Aba, said the three months grace period given to the phone dealers to relocate to the Aba Mega Mall would not be extended as enforcement of the order would commence next Monday and warned that defaulters would be prosecuted.

Nwaigwe, who stressed the dangers of street trading, hinted that the state government had mapped out sites for all service providers in the city to have a central market as obtainable in other parts of the world.

He claimed the state government had provided conducive environment with regular power supply and security at the Aba Mega Mall and ensured that traders would pay a monthly rent of N5,000 and N120,000, annually, for bigger shops.

According to him, “Abia State government is not going back on its resolve to end street trading in the state. On this, we are appealing to the phone and accessories dealers at St.Michaels road to relocate to the Aba Mega Mall where a conducive business environment has been provided for them at affordable prices. My Committee will ensure that all dealers on phones and accessories relocate to Aba Mega Mall to ensure a centralized market in Aba.”

Meanwhile, the government has extended the operational hours of tricycle (Keke) operators in the state from 7pm to 9pm.

The Government had last year restricted their operation to between 6am and 7pm, accusing them of using their tricycles to commit crimes.

Before the restriction, crime rates in Aba and Umuahia rose astronomically and there cases when crimes, including kidnapping and robbery were linked to operators, prompting the Government to ban their operation beyond 7pm.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who announced the extension in Aba at a solidarity rally organized in his honour by the Abia State Amalgamated Tricycle Operators Association, ASATOA,, said the initial restriction to 7pm was due to the increase in crimes linked to the operators.

The Governor, however, tasked operators to get rid of the bad eggs among them, promising that government would stop the imposition of multiple levies on the union.

Abia: Justice Abang Refuses To Hear Ikpeazu’s Application

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday refused to hear Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu’s application for stay of execution of the June 27 judgment of the court removing him (Ikpeazu) as governor.

The judge instead directed Ikpeazu and Uche Ogah, who are both claiming to be the legitimate Governor of Abia State to go before the Court of Appeal for the resolution of the stalemate in the state.

He directed that Ikpeazu and Ogah, who was ordered to be issued fresh Certificate of Return in the June 27 judgment , should go to the Court of Appeal to argue the motion for stay of execution.

This he said was because the lawyers to the two of them (Ikpeazu and Ogah) had argued that he (the judge) no longer had jurisdiction to hear the motion.

Credit: Punch

Confusion In Abia As Ikpeazu, Ogah Lay Claim To Governorship Seat

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Abia State descended into confusion on Thursday following the insistence of Sampson Ogah that he should be sworn in as governor of the state to replace the incumbent, Okezie Ikpeazu, who was sacked by the Federal High Court on Monday.

Mr. Ogah had left Abuja for Umuahia Thursday after he was issued a Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission for his swearing in, expected to be performed by the Chief Judge of the state.

But as he was travelling to Abia, Mr. Okezie obtained an injunction from the High Court of Abia State stopping the Chief Judge of the State, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and any other judicial officer from swearing in Mr. Ogah as governor.

Both Messrs Okezie Ikpeazu and Ogah are members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The order made by Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu of the Abia High Court said among other things, “Upon this motion ex-parte pursuant to section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice, after hearing O.O Nkume, counsel to the applicant.”

Apart from the court order, Mr. Ikpeazu also declared Friday and Monday as public holidays in “honour of a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe, who died on Wednesday”.

The federal government has already declared Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays to mark the Ed-il-Fitr.

The implication is that the judiciary in Abia State will not open for business until Thursday, July 7, making it impossible for Mr. Ogah to immediately challenge the injunction granted Mr. Ikpeazu.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Police Step Up Security At Abia Government House

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Police have stepped up security around the Abia Government House in Umuahia, following report of the issuance of Certificate of Return to Dr Uche Ogah as Governor-elect of the State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the news, which filtered into the state around noon, caused anxiety among residents of Umuahia.

At the city centre, popularly called Isi-gate, some traders, tricycle riders and passersby expressed happiness over the development.

However, the situation was different at the Government House, where political office holders were seen moving hurriedly out of their offices, while workers simply watched.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was on his way to deliver an inaugural lecture at the Abia State University, Uturu when the news filtered in, cancelled the event and made a quick return to Aba.

Ikpeazu had operated from the Government House Liaison Office in Aba since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.
NAN learnt that hundreds of Ogah’s supporters have moved to Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, to receive him.
Many other supporters were seen at the Government House main-gate in anticipation of his inauguration.

Attempts to get the reaction of officials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state on the development were unsuccessful.

The Chairman of the party, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, did not pick calls made to his cell phone.

Credit: Guardian

N5.6bn Fraud: FG Files Amended Charge Against Kalu

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, filed an amended 34-count criminal charge against the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07, was entered before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a day trial Justice Anwuli Chikere was to commence hearing on an initially amended 112-count charge the anti-graft agency preferred against Kalu and two others on February 11, 2008.

The development, yesterday, made it the third time EFCC is amending the charge against the defendants. Kalu was hitherto answering to a 107-count corruption charge alongside his alleged accomplice, Udeh Jones Udeogu and his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited. The charge against them borders on conspiracy, money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.6 billion. The fraud was allegedly perpetuated while Kalu was governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007. EFCC had, at the last adjourned date, April 11, secured leave of the court to arraign the defendants on the previously amended 112-count charge.

Justice Chikere adjourned to take fresh plea of the defendants after she was furnished with judgment of the Supreme Court, which on March 18, held that the defendants have a criminal case to answer.

Pending appeal

Meanwhile, at the resumed sitting yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that he had just filed “a further amended charge” against the defendants.

However, counsel to the second and third defendants, Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN), notified the court that his client, Slok Nigeria Limited, still has an appeal pending before the Supreme Court. Akuma explained that what was previously determined by the apex court were two separate appeals marked SC/215/2012 and SC/264/2012, which were lodged by Kalu and Udeogu. He said: “The third appeal, SC/264a/2012, is still subsisting. As at

He said: “The third appeal, SC/264a/2012, is still subsisting. As at today briefs have been filed and exchanged by all the parties. “We have gone further to apply to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Director of Litigation at the Supreme Court to give us a date. “It is our submission that the commencement of hearing on this trial will prejudice the pending appeal. In the

In the circumstance we humbly ask for an adjournment.” His adjournment request was supported by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN). Although EFCC’s lawyer confirmed the pendency of the appeal, he, however, stressed that issues raised by the third defendant were similar to what was earlier determined by the Supreme Court. Efforts by the prosecution, who placed reliance on Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to persuade the court to proceed with the trial, failed as the court subsequently adjourned the matter till June 30 for

Efforts by the prosecution, who placed reliance on Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to persuade the court to proceed with the trial, failed as the court subsequently adjourned the matter till June 30 for mention.

Credit: Vanguard

Abia Senatorial Rerun : APGA Candidate Writes Kalu On Peaceful Election

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Chief David Onuoha-Bourdex, the APGA candidate in the Abia North Senatorial rerun has written to an opponent, Dr. Orji Kalu of Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) on peaceful polls.

In the letter addressed to Kalu, a former governor of the state, Onuoha-Bourdex underscored the need for all parties to the rerun to play the game according to rules.

The letter dated Feb. 5 and copies made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, the APGA candidate said that the peace of the state should be the primary concerns of candidates in the rerun.

“We must desist from practices that could cause confusion, undermine transparency or precipitate crisis in the senatorial zone. Candidates should exercise caution and show less desperation in the senatorial election.

The era of winning elections by hook or crook is gone and as leaders, we should endeavour to leave good examples for the younger generation.

We have to remember that these young ones are watching us and we have to do only those things that would encourage them to toe the path of moral rectitude, honesty and good conscience,’’ he said.

The APGA candidate frowned at the development where the logo of an opposition party was allegedly superimposed on his campaign posters.

He also dispelled the rumour making the round that he was disqualified and had stepped down from the rerun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rerun will hold in less than three weeks as ordered by the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division.

(NAN)

How Okorocha, Ikpeazu, Ishaku Won In Imo, Abia, Taraba- Report

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Imo State governor and candidate of All Progressives Congress, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was early this morning declared winner of the governorship election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, In the other two states where supplementary governorship elections also held on Saturday, the governorship candidates of Peoples Democratic Party in Abia and Taraba states, Dr Victor Ikpeazu and Mr. Darius Ishaku, respectively, won, after results were collated and declared by INEC.

Okorocha scored 416,996 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who polled 320,705 votes. Okorocha was declared winner by the State Returning Officer, Professor Ibidapo Obe, who is Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State.

In the senatorial election in Delta Central, Ighoyota Amori of PDP won the election, polling 115, 000 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ovie Omo-Agege, of Labour Party, who scored 53, 000 votes. Amore was declared the senator-elect. Amori polled 2, 981 votes in Ughelli South, while Omo-Agege polled 681 votes. In Sapele, Amori got 8, 864 votes, Omo-Agege got 1, 541. In Udu, the PDP candidate got 9, 194 votes, while his LP challenger got 3, 956 votes. In Uvwie, Amori got 4, 819 votes, while Omo-Agege got 2, 366 votes. In Okpe, the PDP candidate scored 8, 613, while the LP candidate got 2, 022 votes. In Ethiope West, Amori got 172, while Omo-Agege had 12 votes. Also in Ethiope East, Amori scored 14, 142 votes, while Omo-Agege scored 7, 168 votes.

The results announced early this morning by INEC showed that Okorocha led Ihedioha in 20 of the 23 local government areas where the supplementary polls took place in Imo State. Okorocha won in Nkwerre (APC 255, PDP 164), Oru west (APC 395, PDP 129), Okigwe (APC 603, PDP 76), Orlu (APC 687, PDP 179), Ihitte Uboma (APC 131, PDP 66), Nwangele (APC 271, PDP 55), Orsu (APC 471, PDP 218), Njaba (APC 1095, PDP 236), Obowo (APC 697, PDP 505), Ow. North (APC 674, PDP 620), Onuimo (APC 412, PDP 207), Ohaji/Egbema (APC 1210, PDP 996), Owerri West (APC 1342, PDP 793), Ehime Mbano (APC 604, PDP 393), Mbaitoli (APC 3997, PDP 2422), Oru East (APC 7154, PDP 1168), Ngor Okpala (APC 416, PDP 323), Isu (APC 2773, PDP 979), Isiala Mbano (APC 1415, PDP 1000), and Oguta (APC 5030, PDP 1378). Ihedioha won in three local governments, namely, Ezinihitte (APC 213, PDP 715) and Aboh Mbaise (APC 686, PDP 939), Ikeduru (APC 786, PDP 1022).

Okorocha had polled 385, 671 votes, while Ihedioha scored 306, 142 votes at the main election on April 11. That gave a difference of 79, 529 votes between the highest scorer and the runner-up, and the number of cancelled votes was 144, 715. The election was declared inconclusive by the INEC Returning Officer in the state, Obe. After the supplementary election, APC had 31,326 votes while PDP had 13,624.

The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) stipulates that where the number cancelled votes exceeds the difference between the number of votes polled by the candidate who comes first and the person in second place, a winner cannot be declared until the conclusion of a supplementary election in the areas affected by the cancellations.

Results, as announced by INEC, from the eight local government areas of Abia State where the supplementary governorship elections held showed that in Aba North PDP got 754 while APGA polled 857; in Ikwuano PDP 1,748, APGA 2179; Ohafia, PDP 2,479, APGA 326; Isiala Ngwa North, PDP 60, APGA 60; Aba South, PDP 722, APGA 2536; Ogwunagbo, PDP 1893, APGA polled 1289; Umuahia South, PDP 1377, APGA 4184; Umuahia North, PDP 1,899, APGA 2,376, and Osisioma, APGA 5,322, PDP 1668.

The Collation/Returning Officer for the Abia State governorship the election, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, had on April 12, announced that the governorship elections were inconclusive and subsequently rescheduled in some polling units where either did not hold or were cancelled due to irregularities. But Ikpeazu had polled 248,459 votes against Otti’s 165,406 votes after the first election on April 11, making a difference of 83,053 votes, while 177,000 votes were cancelled – which was more than the vote difference between the top candidate and the runner-up. This had necessitated the supplementary election.

In Taraba State, as results of the supplementary election continued to trickle in, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Darius Ishaku, was steadily consolidating his lead in the April 11 gubernatorial election, which was declared inconclusive by INEC. Going into yesterday’s supplementary election which was conducted in 218 polling units, Ishaku was ahead of his main challenger, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan of APC by 54, 812 votes.

Results announced from the various polling units across the 10 local government areas indicate that PDP won in Kofar Sarki in Takum local government by 588 votes against seven votes polled by APC.
In Daka polling unit in Takum, PDP polled 378 while APC scored 110 votes just as PDP scored 178 against APC’s five votes in Rafin-Kada ward in Wukari local government.

At Asibiti ward in Donga local government, PDP scored 4,412 while APC scored 604 and in Akete ward still in Donga local government, PDP polled 2,065 votes in 11 out of the 12 polling units collated while APC scored 1,506.

Also at Suntai Daaji in Donga local government, PDP garnered 1,139 votes against APC’s 74 votes, while at Nyitan ward in Donga, PDP scored 4,304 while APC scored 199 votes. In the only polling unit where election was held in Yorro local government, PDP scored 469 while APC polled 34 votes.

At Muhammed Tukur polling unit which was the only polling unit where election was conducted in Jalingo local government, APC polled 362 votes while PDP polled 90 votes while in 17 out of the 20 polling units in Bali local government, PDP polled 5,370 votes while APC polled 750 votes.

The PDP candidate is also leading in Karim Lamido local government where the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Danladi, hails from just as PDP is leading in all the four polling units in Ussa local government.

The total number of registered voters in the 218 polling units where the election was conducted is127, 125 and based on the low turnout of voters, the number of accredited voters in the election is not expected to be more than 50 per cent of the registered voters.
The local governments where the additional elections were held are Donga, Bali, Takum, Karim Lamido, Kurmi, Yorro, Ussa, Wukari and Zing.

Credit: vanguardngr

Election Re-Run: What You Need To Know

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The April 11 governorship elections in Abia, Imo and Taraba states were declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Today, INEC is holding supplementary elections in areas in those states where elections either did not take place or results were cancelled due to irregularities.

The supplementary elections will hold in 51 Registration Areas (RAs) in nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia State; 79 RAs in 23 LGAs in Imo; and 32 RAs in 10 LGAs in Taraba. Already, the electoral agency has deployed three National Commissioners to each of the states on supervisory duties. The National Commissioners will be assisted in each of the states by three Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). These are besides the substantive RECs for the affected states.

The commission says it has also deployed three Directing staff from the Headquarters to each of the affected states to coordinate the operations, while some other staff from the headquarters have been deployed to the states as monitors. In addition, Electoral Officers (EOs) from neighbouring states will be on ground to assist the EOs of the affected LGAs.

The Commission says it is “determined to ensure that the supplementary elections are free, fair credible and peaceful; and it urges voters in the affected areas to conduct themselves peacefully and in accordance with set procedures of the elections, so that the process is crisis-free and concludes in good time”.

It added, “We also call on the Police to ensure compliance by political actors with the restriction on movement in places where the elections are holding.

“INEC reassures the public that it is investigating allegations of misconduct by some officials during the recent general elections, and will ensure that anyone proven to have violated the rules is brought to book.”

Credit: premiumtimesng

APGA Guber Candidate In Abia Crashes APC Caucus Meeting

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Alex Otti shocked many as he attended the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. He attended the meeting to solicit for the party’s support in Saturday’s re- run election in the state.

Otti held a closed- door meeting with some leaders of the APC before the caucus meeting started. Although the APC has a candidate in the re-run election, the race is between Otti and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okezie Ikpeazu.

Read More: DailyTrust

Justice For Abians: Let Our Votes Count For Once! –Nnaemeka Oruh

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to declare the Abia State Gubernatorial elections as inconclusive comes as temporary respite to many aggrieved Abians. These are people who are well aware that their choice was being taken away from them, and thus were amazed at the report that the PDP’s Okezie Ikpeazu was leading APGA’s Alex Otti in the elections. Abians, as is evident from the comments made, and actions being taken by them are tired of the ignominious hegemony Governor Theodore Orji and his family were inflicting on Abians. Here is a family, whose son prances around the state as the Executive Governor, intimidating people. This was a man whom Abians elected believing that as one of their own(he was actually projected as almost as indigent as the people),he would bring them a breath of fresh air. But contrary to all the high hopes he gave Abians, T.A Orji saw the state as a personal investment and went ahead to shamelessly and openly enrich himself to the detriment of the state. How else would one explain the idea of a sitting governor building an estate for himself along Azikiwe Road, in Umuahia? His lowly beginning ironically became a spur for him to drive for personal aggrandizement like a deranged man with Abians helplessly watching as the state deteriorated instead of moving forward. It has been so bad that even external observers call him the ‘Billboard Governor’ in reference to his penchant for mounting billboards celebrating himself at places where he did nothing.

Actually, apart from his brief cameo as an intellectual during the launch of the Dokpesi biography in 2007,my only memory of the man, was of him travelling out of the country in support of wrestling matches and ecstatically shouting when his preferred contestant won, while Abia was abandoned. As an Abian,I have been forced several times to feel like changing my state of origin because of the

decay in the state. It is so bad that even visitors to the state pitifully tell Abians; ‘You guys need a saviour!’.

The decay in Umuahia and Aba, the two most important cities in the state speak volumes of a failed governor who has no reason whatsoever to contest for any other post, or anoint a successor. Yet, he is fighting with all he has to ensure that both his son and his puppet Okezie Ikpeazu are rigged into office.

Perhaps, Abians have no real problem with Okezie Ikpeazu. However, the fact that he has a similar background with his principal, and Abians’ belief that the same government of impunity will continue are some of the reasons why the people agitate for a change. They have been deprived of any sense of genuine governance for eight years, while the man they elected and his cronies enjoy new and unlimited wealth. Naturally, Abians would lay still and face their personal businesses, with the belief that whatever the government is doing is the ‘government’s business’.

But that is no longer the case. Abians have woken up! Jolted by the fact that the media can help salvage them, they are beginning to cry out and demand to be saved. No longer is it business as usual. And this is why we all have to come together to impress upon the international community, independent observers, the federal government, and most especially INEC to allow the people of Abia choose who will lead them. Abia deserves to be among the states in Nigeria who are witnessing an improvement in the lives of its citizens. Abians are not asking that Alex Otti be automatically installed as the governor of the state. They are only asking that INEC and all others involved allow the votes of ordinary Abians count. Until they allow the votes of Abians count, this call for justice will continue until the voices of Abians are heard.

Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

INEC Rejects Abia State Governor T. A. Orji As Senator- Elect

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Umuahia, the Abia State capital, was agog on Monday evening following information that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the result being paraded by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as being that of Abia Central District.

Daily Sun gathered that Gov Theodore Orji was roundly beaten at the poll including in his polling unit, ward and local government by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ahamdi Emmanuel Nweke, but that PDP in connivance some Independent National Electoral (INEC) officials allegedly manipulated the result in favour of the governor.

It was also gathered that following complaints lodged at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, a three-man
committee was set up to look into the allegation of result manipulation.

“Although the committee’s report has not been made public, but a source revealed the APGA candidate won the election and members are taking their findings back to the INEC headquarters.

When news of the development filtered into town, the capital city went agog with residents saying that at last, the man they voted for, would represent them in the Senate.

A prominent Umuahia chief, who hails from the same area with Gov Orji, was said to have held an elaborate party to celebrate the development.

Addressing newsmen, Chief Nweke said there was no time he had doubt about his ability to defeat Gov Orji at the poll, stating that his non-performance in office made victory easier for him.

Nweke said it was not only that he defeated Orji, but that he beat him at his (governor’s) polling unit, which, according to him, meant his kinsmen rejected him and that he also defeated the governor at the wife’s polling unit.

He said: “If I could beat the governor at his polling unit and that of his wife, all in Umuahia, which means total rejection by his kinsmen, where else could he get the votes that will make him to defeat me? Could it be from my own ward and local government? It’s impossible.

“How could people have voted for APGA and they are writing a different result? That’s why I like what INEC at the headquarters is doing; it will restore people’s confidence in the system.

“T.A Orji should emulate President Goodluck Jonathan and concede defeat so that peace will reign in the area. If President Jonathan with all the powers at his beck could concede defeat, why shouldn’t T.A Orji?” While thanking the outgoing President for his statesmanship by not allowing the blood of innocent Nigerians to be shed in the pursuit of self-satisfaction and urge for power, he called on President Jonathan to call to order one of his ministers, who he said had been using the military and other agencies of government to rig elections in the state and also intimidating opposition party members.

He also called on the chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega and other stakeholders to ensure credible polls on Saturday, alleging that they have obtained reports on the plot by the PDP to hire thugs from Abala Ibeme in Obingwa LGA and Rivers State to unleash mayhem on Abians in the nine local government areas of Ngwaland, set the famous Ariaria International Market ablaze as well as cause confusion among voters on the day of the election.

He also alleged of an ongoing thumbprinting of fake ballot papers in an undisclosed location in Ngwaland, plans to rig the election among other hidden agenda including the planned mass arrest of APGA senior officials a few days to the governorship poll.

Abia Electorate Commended For Voting PDP

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Colonel Austin Akobundu, State Minister of Defence, commended the Abia electorate yesterday for voting for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s general elections. Akobundu described the action as a show of support for the good governance that President Goodluck Jonathan has provided.

According to a statement by Akobundu, the Minister believes that the electorate will come out en masse to vote for the PDP in the April 11 elections. The minister commended voters on their show of “courage, resilience, zeal and commitment” and promised that the party would not disappoint the trust of the public.

Read More: Vanguard

Gov. Orji Wins Senatorial Seat- INEC

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the Abia Central Senatorial Zone result declaring Governor Theodore Orji as the winner with 65 653 votes. The result was announced at Umuahia North Local Government Headquarters used by INEC as collation centre.

According to the Returning Officer (R O), Dr. Innocent Okoro, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barrister Ahamdi Nweke scored 46 070 while the APC scored 10 204.

The incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Uzor Azubuike lost the Aba North and Aba South federal seat to APGA.

Read More: DailyIndependent

Governors Of Abia And Akwa Ibom States Win Senatorial Elections

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Governor Godswill Akpabio of AkwaIbom state and his Abia state counterpart, Theodore Orji won their senatorial contests in Saturday’s election.

Gov Akpabio polled a total of 422,009 to defeat APC’s Inibehe Okorie who had 15, 152 votes. Gov Orji pulled a total of 46,070 votes to win Ahamdi Nweke of APGA who pulled 10,204 votes. While Governor Akpabio would represent Akwa Ibom north east senatorial district in the next Senate Assembly, Governor Orji would be representing Abia central Senatorial zone.

Source – Kokomansion.com

Abia Government Officials Escape Mob Attack

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Abia State Ministry of Environment narrowly escaped a mob attack by a group of youths while they attended the state sanitation exercise.

According to reports, headstrong youths were playing football when the environmental team arrived. The same field which was supposedly to be used by the governmental officials.

The youth threw stones and sticks furiously at the team which also consisted of some journalists. The officials ran to their vehicles for cover as they could the situation was starting to get serious. The reasons behind this act is still not known and it is still investigated as to why the youths attacked the officials.

Read More: DailyIndependent

Soldiers rescue 14 pregnant teenagers, 8 children in Abia- Vanguard

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Soldiers from 144 Battalion, Asa, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have rescued 14 pregnant teenagers and eight children from a motherless babies’ home at Umunkpeyi Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

Also arrested by the soldiers were six young men, who claimed to be staff of the home, and two girls, aged 16 and 25. However, the proprietress of the home, Mrs. Nma Charity, is still at large.

It was gathered that Mrs. Charity claimed to be running a government-approved home, but engages in child trafficking and hiring of men who impregnates the teenage girls.

Sources told Vanguard that on delivery, each girl got N20,000, while their babies were sold for between N80,000 and N150,000 for females and males, respectively.

One of the suspects, who was caught at Eke-Akpara in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, while trying to steal a baby, confessed that he had been in the business with Mrs. Charity for a long period, stating that his role was to steal a child and deliver it to the her, who in turn sold it to her customers.

Acting on the confession of the suspect, the Commanding Officer 144 Battalion, Lt. Col. Omolori Rasheed, ordered his men to raid the home where about 14 pregnant teenagers and six young men were arrested, while the proprietress of the home was away at the time of the raid.

A soldier, who declined to have his name in print, told Vanguard that the babies, between the ages of one and six, and the pregnant teenagers, would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters, NAPTIP, while the other persons would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

Credit: vanguardngr.com

Memo To Politicians In Abia State By Sam Hart

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Politics is in the air. Gladiators have presented themselves for consideration as candidates for election into various offices and they are traversing the state campaigning for the offices they have set their sights on.

As is normal in political contests, some of the rhetoric have come with a foreboding of impending crisis should the gladiators not emerge after the process. A student of politics will tell you that it is all part of the game but a note of caution, care must be taken not to rupture the prevailing political and social peace in Abia State.

A background will suffice at this juncture. In the not too distant past, a pall of crisis hung over Abia State. The state government and her officials were locked in a perpetual war of attrition with indigenes of the state mostly resident in Abuja who were at loggerheads with the governor over the control of the political structure. Invariably, because the state government was at loggerheads with the Presidency, the Abuja gladiators had the overt and tacit backing of the Presidency and they deployed that backing to maximum effect by leveraging on Federal agencies to work with them in undermining the state government and thus, having an upper hand in the battle for supremacy in Abia State.

While this state of affairs subsisted, a large swath of influential sons and daughters of Abia State did not see eye to eye with the governor and the effect was that they did not participate in governance at the state level and Abia was robbed of the opportunity to have all their sons and daughters of influence pulling in the same direction for the ultimate good of the state.

This was the state of affairs almost throughout the 8-year tenure of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and for a better part of the first 4 years of incumbent Governor Theodore Orji’s tenure.

Then came a significant paradigm shift in the year 2010 when Governor Theodore Orji chose to align with the mainstream Peoples Democratic Party and by so doing, coalesce virtually all known influential politicians in Abia State under one political family. By that political masterstroke, a new lease was introduced into Abia State and for the first time, all her sons and daughters with varying influences were travelling in the same direction. Abians who hitherto were not coming home or when they did, always in an atmosphere of tension were now free to come and go as they pleased.

Regular consultative sessions with these influential stakeholders were introduced and they are being carried along in the governance of Abia State. Indeed, whenever there is a need to speak for Abia state or pursue matters beneficial to Abia State, everybody who should speak always speak with one voice.

It is doubtful if any other state enjoys the kind of political unity prevalent in Abia State.

This rapprochement came with the added advantage of a cordial relationship with the President and the entire Presidency by extension such that where hitherto, developments that concerned Abia State were spitefully relegated or killed on arrival in Abuja, they are now enjoying prompt attention. Abians have since benefited from important federal appointments and key federal initiatives and projects and the possibilities are now endless because those who would have hitherto blocked such developments on account of their political disagreement with the state governor are now on the same page with him. It wasn’t always so.

Usually, when people praise the performance of Governor Theodore Orji, they point at the tangibles such as roads and other infrastructures but it can be argued that Governor Orji’s most important achievement has been to create an atmosphere of political peace and unity in the state.

The other intangible but very important achievement would be in the area of restoring security to Abia State after the dark days of kidnapping and sundry violent crimes.

This second achievement is easily traceable to the first. Because of the rapport between the Governor and the Presidency, it was easy to get the President to authorise the deployment of soldiers to Abia State to restore order and it was those soldiers who effectively routed the criminals who held the state hostage. Again, because of that cordial relationship, a son of Abia State in the person of Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika was appointed Chief of Army Staff and it was thus easy for him to carry out the Presidential mandate of chasing kidnappers out of Abia State. Indeed, it is on record that General Ihejirika personally led some of the onslaughts against the strongholds of the kidnappers and spent his Christmas holidays in the bushes of Abia State with the soldiers who were on the frontline. It is doubtful if a non-Abian would have done that and if we would have recorded the successes we did within the time frame.

On the basis of the foregoing, it has thus become imperative to appeal to politicians in Abia State to ensure that we do not go back to the unproductive days of quarrels and disagreements. While all of the gladiators are eminently qualified to aspire to the offices they seek, care must be taken not to assume the stance of ‘it is either I get it or we go to war’.

Governor Theodore Orji must be commended for his ability to bring most Abia political heavyweights under one umbrella pulling in the same direction for the ultimate good of the state. While it is a tall order to expect all political gladiators to accept the outcome of the primaries process currently ongoing, necessity is laid on the gladiators to rise above their self-interest and be high-minded enough to accept that the state will suffer should another round of political crisis be inflicted on her.

It is God that gives power and irrespective of who emerges and the circumstances of his or her emergence, if God does not ordain it, they won’t emerge. Thus, this call is for politicians in Abia State to be gracious in defeat and magnanimous in victory to minimise the likelihood of crisis after the primaries.

As Abians, our creed should be ‘Never again would we go back to the days of rancour and acrimony’. As the popular Igbo song goes, ‘nee ka osi di mma, mmeko, ke umunne’. We are all brothers and sisters and we must ensure that we internally resolve any emerging crisis to protect our state from losses arising from political enimities.

Sam Hart wrote from Umuahia.

Articles on www.omojuwa.com are solely authors opinion