Former Abia Senator, Adolphus Wabara has revealed that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has vowed to release Nnamdi Kanu if he assumes office as the next President.
Nnamdi Kanu was captured in Kenya, east Africa and bundled into Nigeria over a year ago and the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has been in detention since then.
Wabara, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State on Saturday said Atiku promised to release the IPOB leader.
He said that Kanu would be released within the first one hundred days of Atiku’s administration.
“Atiku has promised to release our son from prison in one hundred days of his administration. He is not afraid of anybody. He will do what he has promised,” Wabara stated.
Wabara, a former senate president from Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, urged the electorate in Abia State to vote for the PDP presidential candidate on February 25.
The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed an immediate ban on the roasting of fish and other animals as well as cooking within the major markets in the state.
The latest directive by Governor Ikpeazu was contained in a release issued by the state commissioner of trade and investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the state capital, on Thursday.
It came on the backdrops of the fire incident on Tuesday at Line 27 of Ngwa road market in Aba.
He also directed the ministry of trade and investment to evaluate the extent of damage to goods at the two affected shops to support the concerned traders.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 gathered that the inferno was as a result of a fish roaster’s stove that was left on after the closing of business.
Continuing, Governor Ikpeazu thanked God that the market authorities and other sympathizers could deploy available firefighting equipment to contain the fire quickly.
According to Abia’s chief executive, “we wish to encourage all market executives to fully implement the guidelines on fire protection within our markets including ensuring that no flammable material is allowed to be stored within the Market as well as effectively distribute fire extinguishers.”
The immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Chief Okey Ahiwe has won the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primary election in the State.
The election became necessary following the demise of Prof. Uche Ikonne who was to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 general election.
Ahead of the forthcoming presidential election, chances are that the Governor of Abia State, Okozie Ikpeazu might dump the G-5 governors to retain his political relevance following the death of Prof. Uchenna Ikonne, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the March 11 governorship election in the State.
Recall with 𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 that Ikonne died on January 25 at the National Hospital Abuja. His demise was confirmed by his son, Chikezie, in a statement he issued on behalf of the family.
The governor had confirmed that Ikonne was ill and assured that he was recovering gradually and progressively, adding he would be strong enough in the future to join political campaigns. But that did not happen.
Ikonne, a former vice-chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu, ABSU, was Ikpeazu’s preferred candidate for the 2023 governorship election and he ensured Ikonne emerged against all obstacles.
Leading up to the announcement of Ikonne as the winner by the Chairman of the PDP governorship primary for Abia State, Chief Ayo Fayose, the gubernatorial primary in the State was reportedly characterised by a massive withdrawal of aspirants, who all cited “illegalities and irregularities” on the delegates list.
Governor Ikpeazu belongs to the Governor Nyesom Wike-led G-5 governors who have been embroiled in a political battle with Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, over the control of the party.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 learnt that the G-5 Governors and other aggrieved party members have been clamouring for the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, shortly after a northerner, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, won the party’s presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, on Friday last week, the PDP announced a fresh governorship primary election to produce Ikonne’s replacement.
This is following the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, directive to the party to conduct a fresh election to replace the deceased.
The directive relied upon the provisions of the New Electoral Act on the replacement of candidates caused by death.
The party said a fresh primary would be conducted on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
“All interested aspirants are requested to collect Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from the PDP Headquarters at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Abuja.
“The sale of both forms begins Friday, January 27 and ends on Wednesday, February 1. Screening of aspirants will be held at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Thursday, February 2 at 11:00 am prompt”, Abia PDP Vice Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, noted.
A top party official in the State, who is also part of the government, confided to the DAILY POST that governor Ikpeazu would be working for Atiku in the presidential election.
He said the PDP in Abia is working for Atiku Abubakar and does not see the chance of Governor Ikpeazu working for any other candidate.
He said, ”Our party (PDP) is intact. The national leadership of the party will do the right thing by giving us a good candidate. The party has made a publication to that effect that those who want to contest should go and purchase their nomination and notification of interest form. The death of Ikonne has nothing to do with G-5 governors. So we are one family.
”I am not the governor; he is entitled to his choice of support. He is a full PDP person, and I don’t see him having any other candidate, but I am not his spokesperson. Abia is PDP.
”We are one PDP family; we are working together. PDP in Abia State is working for Atiku Abubakar. We are one party. We are not divided; there is nothing like the Atiku camp and the G-5 camp in Abia State. PDP is one united family.”
Also, speaking to DAILY POST, Mr Paul Ibe, the media aide to Atiku Abubakar, said he believed that all hope was not lost in finding common ground and resolving the issues.
Mr Ibe also said the issues centred around the election and nomination of the vice presidential candidate of the party.
He acknowledged that some negotiations have happened that might be outside the public knowledge.
”The rerun primary is the responsibility of the PDP, leaders, stakeholders and delegates. In Abia State, they are the ones to determine who will replace Prof Ikonne.
“I am aware the leadership of the party has reeled out guidelines, starting with the procurement of forms, screening and all of that. And so far, so good; I don’t think there is any challenge right now. As I said, it is the responsibility of the Abia leaders, stakeholders and, most importantly, the delegates.
”This opportunity, as tragic as it is, reinforces the indivisibility of the PDP as a party. The election is going to be conducted by PDP. The governors, whether of the Abia State or any other State, are PDP governors. They will pursue the PDP agenda.
”I believe that all hope can never be lost in terms of finding common ground and resolving the issues around the election and nomination of the vice presidential candidate because that was what generated all of this.
“A resolution is underway because everybody realises that we all need to stand united around a common cause to oust the APC and recover and rebuild Nigeria. And everybody is aware of that, whichever side of the divide they may be,” Mr Ibe said.
Meanwhile, Governor Ikpeazu has assured members and supporters of the PDP in Abia State and across the country that the party remains strong, viable and united.
He gave the assurance at a meeting with PDP national leaders at the Government House, Umuahia.
The governor also informed the delegation that the State caucus met and agreed to retain the ticket in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, where Ikonne hailed from.
The National Working Committee (NWC) members included the Deputy National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum, the National Secretary, Sen. Sam Anyanwu and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN
“The sale of both forms begins Friday January 27 and ends on Wednesday February 1. Screening of aspirants will hold at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza l, Abuja, on Thursday February 2 at 11:00 am prompt”, Amah noted.
Aspirants are expected to present themselves to the State Working Committee, SWC, of the Abia PDP on Friday February 2, 2023 at the State Secretariat.
The statement added that further directives would be communicated when necessary.
In mid-January, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu confirmed the late governorship candidate Uche Ikonne is ill, but “recovering gradually and progressively”.
“I want to report some progress and the progress is that Ikonne is recovering gradually. He will be strong enough in the future to join,” said Ikpeazu, a PDP G5 member.
Ikonne, a professor of optometry, served as the 7th Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had ordered the shutting of the church headquarters following a protracted leadership tussle rocking the church.
The order was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, dated December 31, 2022.
The protesting clergymen who appeared in their cassocks, sang gospel songs while marching through the Osisioma flyover to the governor’s lodge to lay their complaint.
Some of them displayed placards with several inscriptions, including “Ikpeazu should open the national headquarters of ACCM”, “ACCM does not support tribalism, Let governor Ikpeazu unseal the headquarters of ACCM”.
The spokesmen of the church, Apostle Christopher Ogbuagu and Rev Ugochukwu Onugha, accused Ikpeazu of allegedly trying to influence the leadership of the church to favour his Kinsmen.
The duo, who admitted that there was an ongoing leadership crisis in the church which is currently before the Owerri division of the Court of Appeal wondered, why the governor took interest in the matter as a nonmember of the church.
The statement made available to our correspondent by the group read, “There is a tiny minority of the church elders mostly politicians who incidentally are relatives of the Governor of Abia state Okezie Ikpeazu who wants to foist an unpopular Bishop over the church due to the death of the former Bishop.
“Also two other senior Apostles who were next in line; the financial secretary of the church who is not a career missionary of the church rose up and is receiving the support of the governor’s kinsmen and political allies; led by Chief Theo Nkire, who was one time Attorney general of Abia state and Elder Godwin Nna, who was one-time commissioner and local government chairman; whereas the next in line is a career missionary by name Rev Apostle John U Esinna; the financial secretary’s name is Apostle P C Erondu. Over 98% of members and clergy are behind the leadership of Rev J.U Esinna, the tiny minority led by theo Nkire are using every means possible to impose P C Erondu on the church.
“The matter is even before the court of Appeal Owerri and rather than the Theo Nkire ‘s group to be patient and law-abiding and await the verdict of the Court of Appeal they have resorted to all means possible to arm-twist the church and their latest move was to get the Governor to shut down the church headquarters to put fear into the members who are against his kinsmen.
“He even declared the leaders of the pro-Esnna group wanted in the state-controlled radio station calling them criminals. The entire clergy are now fed up with the continued involvement and interference and intimidation by the Governor of Abia state, thus embarked on a peaceful protest.
“The idea is to draw the attention of the public to the meddling of the state governor in a church matter that is even before the court of Appeal and trying to intimidate the church into accepting a nonclergy as their Bishop because his relatives and political allies are involved and to inform the world that should any harm come to any of our leaders that the governor should be held responsible and that he should hand off the church
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed grief on the death of the governorship candidate of Abia State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Professor Uche Eleazar Ikonne.
Ikonne died at the age of 67.
Ohanaeze consoled the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, over Ikonne’s death.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, described Ikonne’s death as unfortunate while extolling the exemplary and outstanding virtues of the deceased while alive.
The pan-Igbo organization noted the immense contributions, ideas, and uncommon roles of Ikonne in the medical profession, academic development, and stability of Abia State, and the entire South East.
According to Isiguzoro, the deceased’s “peaceful disposition earned him numerous appointments including [as] Rector Abia State Polytechnic Aba, 7th Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University Ututu and the PDP ticket for the Abia guber elections.”
Ohanaeze further grieved that Ikonne died at a time his vast and rich wealth of experience, lofty ideas, and wise counselling are needed towards “consolidating numerous monumental giant strides achieved by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration in the past seven years in Abia state.”
A statement by Isiguzoro reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo call on the Government of Abia State to immortalize late Professor Ikonne for his patriotism and unquantifiable sacrifices. The new Government House should be named after the deceased.
“And we equally want to use this medium to call on the state government to honour this great gentleman with an organized befitting burial interment for his supportive sacrifices.”
The apex Igbo group consoled the Ikonne family, the PDP in Abia State, the government, and the people of Abia state on the shocking demise of “this worthy Igbo leader.”
The Abia State Government has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to enable residents of the state collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The Secretary to Abia State Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
“Consequently, all public offices and markets are to be closed as all are enjoined to use this opportunity to visit the INEC offices or collection centres where they registered to collect their PVCs ahead of the 29th January 2023 deadline by INEC for closure of PVC collection,” the statement read.
“The Executives of the various markets in the State are directed to ensure strict compliance on the closure of their various markets or be prepared to face appropriate sanctions.”
According to the SSG, banks and those on essential duties are not affected by the government’s directive
The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Chief Uche Ihediwa, SAN, made the call in a statement after he and his team paid an unscheduled inspection to the area to ascertain the level of destruction.
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In the statement signed by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry, Anyim Agbai, the CJ expressed shock over the destruction of the court building.
He wondered why a court building built to resolve disputes among people in the rural area would be burnt.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed Ikechi Emenike as the Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 election. (Watch Video Here)
While delivering a judgment on three appeal cases before it on Friday, the panel led by Justice Peter Olabisi Ige held that the May 26, 2022, primary election in which Emenike emerged was valid.(Watch Video Here)
In delivering the unanimous verdict, Justice Ige read out the names of the members of the panel sent by the National Secretariat of APC to conduct the governorship primary that produced Emenike, affirming that the exercise was valid. (Watch Video Here)
He faulted the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which Uche Ogah had used to back (Watch Video Here) his claims, saying that a report by the electoral umpire “cannot validate an otherwise invalid primary. (Watch Video Here)
“You cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand. The INEC report is inchoate and cannot validate the primaries relied on by Ogah,” the court held. (Watch Video Here)
Both APC and its gubernatorial candidate, Emenike had filed separate appeals challenging the verdict delivered by Justice Nyako validating a purported direct primary election that Ogah claimed he had conducted and won. (Watch Video Here)
One of the governorship aspirants, Dan Eke also filed his own appeal challenging the judgment of the trial judge that recognised Ogah’s purported candidacy.
But the Appellate Court in the judgments delivered one after the other on Appeal No. CA/ABJ/1258 High Chief Ikechi Emenike Vs Dr Sampson Uche Ogah & 3 Ors; CA/ABJ/1257 APC Vs Dr Sampson Uche Ogah & 3 Ors resolved the appeals in favour of the appellants. (Watch Video Here)
It also held that Appeal No. CA/ABJ/1297 filed by Dr Eke was successful, thereby dealing a crushing blow to Ogah’s claim to the Abia APC governorship ticket.
Justice Ige reprimanded Nyako for ignoring the issue of jurisdiction instead of resolving the issue given that it was fundamental in adjudication. (Watch Video Here)
The panel also held that Ogah lacked the locus to challenge the outcome of the party primary since he did not participate in the exercise but instead claimed that he conducted a separate primary that was not sanctioned by his party. (Watch Video Here)
The judgment of the trial court was squashed by the appellate court as it upheld the earlier judgment of the Appeal Court in Owerri which affirmed Emenike’s candidacy. (Watch Video Here)
In her verdict, Justice Nyako had ignored not only the judgment of the Appellate Court in Owerri but also two other Appeal Court verdicts in favour of Emenike.
But Justice Ige and his learned colleagues held that they were bound by the judgment of Justice Pemu of the Court of Appeal, (Watch Video Here) Owerri, saying that Nyako’s judgment cannot displace the judgment of the Appeal Court, Owerri Division. (Watch Video Here)
On the issue of Justice Nyako’s failure to invite address from counsel, the sole issue she had raised was a breach of fair hearing and therefore resolved it in Emenike’s favour. (Watch Video Here)
The Governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State Alex Otti has said that the presidential flag bearer of the party, Peter Obi actually left $155million in the Anambra State coffers for his successor, Mr Willie Obiano.
Otti disclosed this on Wednesday during a one-day South-East stakeholders summit titled ‘Roadmap 2023 Election Path To Victory’ held in Enugu where candidates of the LP contesting elections in all Southeastern states converged.
Also present at the gathering were members of the National Working Committee of the Labour Party as well as party supporters who came for the one-day stakeholders summit.
At the forum, Otti stated that he was at the helm of affairs at Diamond Bank when Peter Obi was Governor of Anambra State, adding that he personally saw to helping Obi secure Eurobonds with the $155 million, securing tier-two capital in some of the banks.
Mr Otti said some of the investments made have maturities up to 2023 and as such, some of the monies have not matured.
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Carlo Ancelotti’s team successfully added to their four cups from 2014 to 2018, and their triumph meant European teams have won the past 10 editions of the tournament.
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, has said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will beg his counterpart from Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and his group.
Emmanuel said the party had made a mistake in its approach to the presidential elections; hence would beg Wike and his group.
He disclosed this while speaking on the rift between the Wike-led group and the party.
The governor said he and other members of the party are prepared to prostrate before the aggrieved “big men” in the party in order for the PDP to emerge victorious in the 2023 elections.
“We’ll resolve all issues. You can’t let anybody go in an election; every vote matters.
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“Every single person is important in politics, not to talk of when you’re talking about very big men. Small men like us will go and prostrate ourselves before them: please oh, big men, don’t let us down.
“I’m into this game to win. I don’t think anybody will get to this point and be doing permutations. What kind of permutation?”
“But they are not unhappy with me as Udom Emmanuel. Did they tell you they were unhappy with the party? Four of them are candidates of the party. They hold tickets of the party. They’re members of the party; you are getting it wrong.
“So, certainly, we all make mistakes. I must also confess as a party, we’ve made mistakes, and as individuals, we’ve made mistakes. But these mistakes, I can assure you, will not break us,” he told ThisDay.
Wike and his G-5 group have been aggrieved with PDP leadership since the party’s presidential primaries.
The governor lost his quest to be PDP’s flagbearer to Atiku.
Following his loss, Wike and his group have been against the rotation system within the party.
They called for the resignation of PDP’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, stressing that a particular zone should not be allowed to produce the party’s presidential candidate and the National Chairman
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Adeniran claimed his daughter was hale and hearty when the school picked her up for the activities, saying the school had not said anything regarding the incident.
Victor was said to have vomited blood while Decency was said to have had white substance in his nose, fuelling speculations they may be victims of food poisoning.
It was alleged that they reportedly sent a motorcyclist to buy food for them and were found dead the following morning after eating the food.
PRO of MOUAU, Adanma Odefa who confirmed the incident, said;
“We don’t know anything about eating food and the bike man. All we know is that we found two students dead in their rooms, that is we know. I don’t know where you are getting the eating of food and the bike man story; I don’t even have this information.”
Asked if there has been any medical report on the cause of their death, Odefa said;
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“The police have taken their bodies to the morgue and anything left is for the parents of the deceased. We have informed the families, so we are not talking about this.”
Prior to his death, Decency was the incumbent Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Students Union Government (SUG) and was seeking re-election for the post.
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The Federal Government on Wednesday has lost against Nnamdi Kanu in court. Also Read : How My Houseboy Took Me To Cloud 9 – Housewife The FG lost its bid to transfer the suit of the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, from Umuahia to Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, insisted that it has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit. Also Read: I Need A Man Who Can Last 90 Minutes – Pretty Lady This was disclosed by Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a tweet stressing that the matter was still ongoing.
He wrote: “Breaking: Federal High Court, Umuahia denies the Federal Government’s application to transfer the ‘extraordinary rendition’ suit to Abuja, and rules that Umuahia has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit”. Reading of the rest of the judgment continues.” Also Read: How My Houseboy Took Me To Cloud 9 – Housewife The Special Counsel was challenging Kanu’s abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
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Mr Orji disclosed this in a statement issued in Umuahia on Thursday.
He stated that his preference for Mr Obi against PDP’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was based on Mr Obi’s competence.
He further stated that he would mobilise support for Obi “not because he is his fellow Igboman but for his antecedent”.
He stated: “I’m a PDP man till tomorrow but I will support Obi not because he is Igbo but because of what he represents.
“Obi is a movement. My family and friends will vote for him.
“Atiku is my friend but Obi is a better candidate.”
Mr Orji added: “Aside from competence, equity also favours Obi’s candidacy.
“South-East is the only zone in Southern Nigeria yet to take its turn at the Presidency.
“Why can’t Atiku support Obi, who was his running mate in 2019?
“I must speak the truth: What are we gaining in PDP that for 16 years it was in power, Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway is not passable?
“You cannot drive from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene or Owerri to Umuahia on a good road.
“So, it is blindness to tell me to support Atiku, when we have Obi who has shown competence and capacity to take Nigeria out of the woods.
“Should I work against him because he is Igbo?”
In a related development, Mr Orji also lent his support to the candidacy of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of APGA for Abia South Senatorial District for the fifth time.
Mr Abaribe, who aspired for the PDP’s governorship ticket, later defected to APGA, alleging irregularities in PDP’s three-man delegates congress.
He is being challenged by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who picked the PDP’s ticket for the same constituency.
Mr Orji, popularly called SCOJ, described Mr Abaribe as too experienced to be sacrificed for Mr Ikpeazu.
He stated that Abaribe had proved his mettle in the Upper Chamber, considering his antecedent and pedigree as an experienced lawmaker.
He therefore advised Mr Ikpeazu to step down for him (Abaribe) and not waste his time and resources.
Mr Orji, a former Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, argued that it would be a great disservice to Abia South to replace a champion with a fresher.
He stated, “Asking me to choose between Ikpeazu and Abaribe is like asking one to choose between experience and the lack of it.
“Abaribe is too experienced to be replaced with a greenhorn, who would only go there to begin to learn the ropes.
“Abaribe has performed well in the senate.
“At a time he was the only voice not just for PDP or Ndigbo but Nigeria.
“He stood against injustice in the Senate.
“If I have the opportunity, I will tell Ikpeazu to step down for him.
“It is not a must that every governor will retire to the senate.
“I am a Christian and at my age, if I see what is right and refuse to say it, I wonder if I will say it in the grave.”
Mr Orji noted that being a PDP chieftain would not make him to shy away from the truth “because of my conscience and Christian faith”.
He frowned at the trend where every governor now developed the penchant to retire to the Senate.
According to him, the red chamber should not be converted into a retirement benefit for former governors.
Mr Orji, a former lawmaker in the state, however, added that “if Ikpeazu did well as governor, he will win”.
He opined that being a governor did not translate to automatic victory at the poll.
He cited the case of Senator Orji Kalu who, after two tenures as governor, contested for the Senate for three consecutive times and lost until the fourth attempt.
Mr Orji tipped the PDP candidate for Abia North Senatotrial District, a former House of Representatives member, Mao Ohuabunwa, to defeat Kalu.
Mr Kalu is running on APC’s platform for his second tenure.
Meanwhile, Mr Orji, who contested the PDP’s governorship primary election of May 25, has approached the Umuahia Division of the Federal High Court to nullify Uche Ikonne’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer.
The Court has slated Friday, October 21 for the hearing of the suit.
Degree certificate of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has surfaced online.
This is coming a day after INEC released the names of candidates for the coming elections.
Obi’s academic documents including his University and NYSC certificates are now in the public space.
Oseloka H. Obaze, an aide to Peter Obi, published the former Anambra State governor’s university degree.
Obaze on his Twitter page on Wednesday, September 21, shared a copy of the former Anambra Governors certificate which he obtained from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
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The kidnapped Prelate of the Methodist Church, His Eminence Samuel Uche, on Tuesday said N100m was paid as ransom before he was released.
At a press conference in Lagos, the cleric said the monies were arranged in five sacks of N20 million.
The funds, he noted, were raised by the Methodist Church in Nigeria.
He also claimed that neither the Federal or State Government, nor the military or police intervened.
The cleric was kidnapped on Sunday in Abia State but was released on Monday.
The Prelate had been kidnapped alongside two others, the Bishop of Methodist Church, Owerri Diocese and the Prelate’s chaplain.
They were reportedly whisked away at about 2pm on their way from a church programme in Okigwe Imo State to Isuochi in Umu Nneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
Kidnapping for ransom is rife in parts of Nigeria, including the South-East where most violent crimes have been blamed on Ipob, a group seeking secession of the region from Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has taken a tough stance against ransom payments. A law criminalising ransom payments was recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari
The kidnapped Prelate of the Methodist Church, His Eminence Samuel Uche, and two other abducted clerics have regained freedom.
They were released at 6.30 pm on Monday but details are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report. It is also unclear if any ransom was paid before they were released.
The church is also yet to issue a statement about the release of the men who were abducted in Abia State on Sunday. The police spokesman in the state Geoffrey Ogbonna had told Channels Television that the preacher was kidnapped alongside two others – the Bishop of Methodist Church, Owerri Diocese, and the prelate’s chaplain.
He explained that they were whisked away at about 2 pm on their way from a church programme in Okigwe (Imo State) to Isuochi in Umu Nneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
In the wake of the incident, the command mobilised men to speed up efforts to rescue the clergymen.
“We have mobilised all the tactical teams to ensure they are rescued and for the possible arrest of the hoodlums,” Ogbonna said at that time.
“We are calling on members of the public to volunteer credible information that would help us in the rescue of the victims and for the possible arrest of the suspects.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday conducted primary elections to elect candidates for the House of Representatives and state assembly elections in 2023.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise, which took place under stiff security, was rancour-free in the areas monitored.
It, however, took place several hours behind schedule in many centres.
In Umuahia south, it was scheduled to begin by 9:00 am but could not start until about 2:45 pm.
For Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Chinedum Orji, emerged winner.
Orji pulled 86 votes to defeat five other contestants and his closest rival, Mr Obi Aguocha, scored eight votes.
Chidebere Nwachukwu, John Nwadinobi, John Ndubuisi and Kelechi Onuzuruike pulled two, two, one and nil, respectively.
The Election Committee Chairman, Mr Tony Mezie, said that 99 delegates took part in the exercise.
For the house of assembly polls, a cleric, Mr Ugochukwu Uchegbu, won the ticket for Umuahia Central State Constituency. Uchegbu defeated eight other contestants in three ad-hoc delegates per ward elections that had 10 delegates.
In a post-election speech, a visibly elated Uchegbu thanked God for his emergence and hailed the entire process as “peaceful and most transparent”.
“This is just a step. It is a motivation. There is no vanguished.
“My co-contestants have congratulated me and I urge them to support me as we move on,” he said.
One of the contestants, Chief Jude Ndukwe, however, expressed concern over the party’s adoption of three ad-hoc delegates for the indirect primaries.
Also, the lawmaker representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Chief Jerry Uzosike, clinched the ticket for his re-election bid. Uzosike described the outcome of the election as the voice of the people of Umuahia South.
He said: “Umuahia South people through the votes have voted for good governance, good service, and good representation.
“I want to thank the youths, stakeholders, and people of Umuahia for their support and God Almighty for this victory.
“My constituents should expect more from me in the years ahead and I welcome my opponents to join me in building the constituency.”
The Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Mr Humphrey Chukwudi, described the election as peaceful and transparent
The Youth Leader of Nsirimo Ward, Mr Malachy Nwagwu, said that the election played a vital role in ensuring that credible individuals were given an opportunity to run for political positions.
Authorities in Abia State have sealed off Merry Home Hotels over the mysterious death and disappearance of some of its clients who lodged at the facility.
While the body of a yet-to-be-identified lady was recovered from the facility, several others reportedly went missing with no news of their whereabouts.
Dr Eze Chikamnayo, the Commissioner of Information in Abia, confirmed this to Channels Television on Saturday in Umuahia, the state capital.
He explained that the government’s action became necessary in view of repeated reports of death and disappearance of clients under questionable circumstances within the premises of the hotel located within the 7UP axis of Ogbor Hill in Aba.
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The commissioner stated that the most recent such case was the death of a lady who came in with two young men and a baby in the afternoon on April 15, as confirmed by the CCTV footage in the hotel.
He added that the men left with the baby hours later without the lady, only for the hotel management to break into the room at midnight to find the lady dead with her body dismembered.
Chikamnayo revealed that the government was in receipt of reports suggesting similar incidents within the hotel, especially at the swimming pool area.
He stressed that no responsible government would fold its arms and watch criminal hotspots remain while the Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration would not allow such an environment to thrive.
The commissioner confirmed that everyone suspected to be involved in the April 15 incident has been arrested by the police while the hotel would remain sealed in the meantime.
According to him, Abia is a no-go area for ritualists and murderers and the government has zero tolerance for any form of criminality.
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Chikamnayo warned that any hotel in the state that offers itself for such practice would automatically be sealed and the culprits would be brought to justice.
He also advised parents to monitor their children’s movement properly to ensure they do not fall victim to ritualists and other criminally minded individuals.
Police authorities in the state have also confirmed the death of the lady, saying efforts were ongoing to arrest and bring her killers to justice.
Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, said the body of the yet-to-be-identified lady has since been deposited at a morgue.
The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), according to him, is handling the case and residents are advised to support the police with useful information regarding the incident
Madam Oriaku Nmadu, the mother of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, from the Isuochi Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, has demanded justice for her daughter.
Osinachi, 42, died penultimate Friday after being admitted to a hospital in Abuja.
Some of her friends alleged that her husband, Peter, maltreated and assaulted her several times before she died.
Mrs Nmadu, who poured out her heart while speaking to members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, advised single ladies to be careful when selecting their spouses.
She said when Peter came for her daughter’s hand in marriage, he presented himself as a pastor from Anambra State.
She noted that shortly after the marriage, Peter shut the doors to Osinachi’s family “and completely possessed her”.
“My daughter went through hell in the hands of Peter. My daughter had four children and I could not go for omugwo (babysitting) for any of the children because her husband would not want to see any member of Osinachi’s family,” she added.
The bereaved mother disclosed that on one occasion after a church service, Peter abandoned her and his wife and drove home with the children.
“That Sunday after the church service as we were waiting for Peter Nwachukwu, he came out and ordered his children into the car and drove off, leaving me and my daughter behind. I was shocked because it was a well-wisher that gave my daughter that car Peter was driving.
“Instead of Osinachi to complain, she rushed out and got a taxi that drove us home,” she added.
According to her, there was another car a fan gave Osinachi which her husband allegedly took from her.
She said at every misunderstanding, he would abandon his wife and drive off.
“On one occasion, the children inside the car were saying bye-bye to their mother; he never allowed the wife to enjoy the fruit of her labour,” Madam Nmadu added.
While appealing to the female group to help the family get justice, she said the couple’s children were with one of her daughters.
“Osinachi believed in the Biblical injunction that marriage is for better and for worse and that was why she endured the marriage thinking that Peter Nwachukwu would change, but unfortunately my daughter died,” she said.
The Abia State Chairman of NAWOJ, Mrs Beatrice Odoemelem, assured Osinachi’s mother that the group would not relent until justice was served.
Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has declared that he will indeed become governor of all Abians.
Abaribe made the declaration on Monday via a Facebook photo statement in which the lawmaker was seen brandishing his Nomination/Declaration of Interest Form.
“I will be governor for All Abians!!” Senator Abaribe pledged.
The PDP chieftain’s latest comments come a few weeks after he formally declared his interest to become the governor of Abia State in 2023.
Senator had in December 2021 indicated his interest to contest for the Abia governorship seat. However, his intention was officially made known to the people when he visited the state secretariat of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to consult with the expanded executive caucus of the party.
At the PDP secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital, Abaribe promised that he would be the governor that Abians would be proud of.
“I am going to be not just a governor but the governor of Abia people irrespective of where the person comes from,” he said.
The lawmaker, who was deputy governor at the beginning of the present democratic dispensation, contested for the governorship position in 2003 but could not unseat Orji Uzor Kalu, the Abia governor who he once served as a deputy.
However, in 2007, Abaribe was elected Senator for Abia South Senatorial District and has retained the seat ever since.
Speaking on his gubernatorial ambition, Abaribe told party stalwarts in Abia State that he has all that it takes to transform the state.
The senior parliamentarian said he possesses the requisite capacity, experience, and knowledge to govern Abia and as such should be considered as that person that will lead the party to victory in 2023.
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