IKPEAZU OFFERS N2BILLION TO SOME APC EXCO MEMBERS TO PRODUCE A LITIGATION BOUND, WEAK OR UNPOPULAR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE IN ABIA.

If the information flittering in is anything to go by, then there maybe riot in Abia State capital Umuahia by concerned citizens any moment from now following the intercepted phone call over Ikpeazu’s largesse/bribe to some APC Exco members to compromise the standard of electing the gubernatorial candidate of APC to pave way for the emergence of a weak, litigation bound or unpopular candidate to fly the party’s flag in Abia so that he can easily win his re-election bid.

It is highly instructive now that security operatives move into Umuahia to nip in the bud the intending crisis because Umuahia is boiling right now.

The people are so enraged that a governor that can’t afford to pay salary of workers or embarked on any meaningful project can afford to waste such huge amount of money in another party’s internal affairs whereas the roads in Abia are so dilapidated, pensioners and workers dying of hunger.

Details loading…….

©Udo Abia

NIGERIA: A Wake Up To Reality… By Benard Ogbe

If it were easy to create jobs to end all joblessness in Nigeria, President Obasanjo would have done that for eight years or President Yar A’dua or Goodluck Jonathan would have quenched it in 16 years of the PDP hold on power…

Now, President Buhari is a magician and he’s expected to create jobs for all in just 3 years, what a thinking of national interest…

Life itself is a process, President Buhari is one among the existed president that had defined his purpose to serve long before assumption as the Nigerian President since democracy 1999.

Unlike President Obasanjo who was brought out from the prison without pure visions to rule Nigeria. The biggest mistake made (out of sympathy) forgetting the fact that such a person could only have the interest to cover up all personal losses as psychologically, he’s liable to succumb to the trauma of torture from the past.

President Nelson
Mandela of South Africa proved that psychological trauma wrong because of his genuine motives and uniqueness to absorb pains and losses for the struggle (individual differences)…

President Yar A’dua had a focus for Nigeria no doubt. However, who are we to question God, the giver of life???

President Goodluck Jonathan came in as a President of fortune…

The Prophet that may had told him (GEJ) he would be Nigeria President before hand is worthy of search! If not, he never for once had in mind of becoming president of a nation Nigeria. Where was his visions for presidency?
Of course such answer gave rise to the beginning of a man with vision and selfless service, President Buhari…

They can only fight him (PMB) for trying to do what they’ve realized they aught to have done.

The PDP can’t eat their cakes and still have it as president Buhari has opened our eyes to hidden plots that had rendered and subjected our nation’s growth to it’s state, compared to the growing world…

It’s on our path to decide the way to go.

The Israelites would had opted to return to Egypt while faced with the challenges of crossing the red sea. But no, they stamped their hopes and focus never to return, and miracles happened.

Many then would have raised abuses on Moses for bringing them out to meet their end. Their faith came victorious.

There had not been an administration like this Buhari led administration. Full of mixed reactions but Looking deep with wisdom unbiased, it stands the best among others existed in the past…

I will vote my President Buhari again, eight (8) years is my yard stick to measure his reign as the Nigerian president, democratically. I will Keep Hopes Alive for the generation yet unborn, what about you??

Bernard Ogbe
Political Activist And Seasonal Writer.
bernardogbe@gmail.com

CONTRAVENTION OF PDP 2018 ELECTORAL GUIDELINES BY ASPIRANTS THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES AND EFFECTS.

By Uche Aguoru

Throttling very close to the PDP 2019 primary elections, aspirants in their usual idiosyncrasy have begun a round of impunity and disrespect for laid down rules and guide lines that will either keep those who eventually won the elections under their umbrella in court for a long time or deny them the opportunity of coming out victorious at different levels in the coming elections.

While the PDP 2018 ELECTORAL GUIDE LINES unambiguously directed in number 5 of the article that the “Last date for resignation of public/civil servant/political appointees/party officers intending to contest the 2019 election should resign 7 days before purchase of nomination forms” almost all the political appointees which includes Commissioners and Heads of agencies/parastatals have not tendered their resignation or handed their ministries or agencies over to the next in rank in their individual ministries and agencies as ordered by the public service law.

While party officers in the likes of Sir Don Ubani, the PDP publicity secretary, Barrister Jerry Uzosike, PDP Financial Secretary and Chief P.C Onyegbu Abia PDP deputy Chairman have all complied to the guideline and handed over their offices to their deputies or next in rank, their counterparts in the ministries, Agencies and parastatals have refused to comply.

Those affected are ministry of education under Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji as commissioner, ministry of agriculture under Hon. Uzo Azubuike as Commissioner, Ministry Of transport under Barrister Chinedum Elechi, General Manager Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme ASPIMSS, Chief Kingsley Onyemaechi Megwara, and Chairman Abia Warriors Football Club, High Chief, Pastor Emeka Inyama.

I am tempted to believe that these government appointees have already weighed the consequences of their decision and on their own volition choose to seek for elective positions. They no longer require any prompting to resign and hand over immediately so as to face their new choice, except as they continue to tell whoever that cares that they have the express acquiescence of the governor to “eat their cake and still have it.”

These aspirants who go about deceiving people that they have resigned as heads of their ministries and agencies have not officially handed over their resignation letter to the secretary to the state government (SSG) and have refused to hand over the running of such offices to their next in rank as stipulated by public service law, my worry is that, this is deceitful, selfish and fraudulent and a criminal manipulation of public perception, they deceptively withdrew from physical and formal exercise of authority while still controlling and running the finances and administration of their ministries, agencies and parastatals through compromised proxies and unconventional sources.

Governor Ikpeazu’s indifference towards his appointees who have refused to formally resign and hand over despite his announcement, directing public officers and appointees who are nursing political ambition to resign, also encourages this illegality and fraud, this on its own, is corruption and its capable of diminishing the electoral gains of the PDP if eventually such people gets their party’s tickets, it will also lead to protracted litigation that will keep such constituencies in court even after election.

Some of the affected aspirants have been using monies meant for staff salaries and the running of those ministries and agencies to fund their campaign thereby shortchanging the entire state and running down the affected ministries and agencies.

This is fraud and it should be discouraged, Abia state government and the PDP must learn to do things aright, corruption must be disinclined, we cannot sacrifice the business of governance on the altar of relationship while ministries, agencies and their staff suffer neglect.

I want to appeal to the governor, if indeed he is not in league with those who intentionally flout the directives and disregard his instructions, to as a matter of urgency enforce the immediate resignation and hand over of the Ministries of Education, Transport, Agriculture and ASPIMSS to those who are supposed to oversee their affairs while they continue to face their political aspirations, the government can no longer continue to turn blind eye to this practice while the public suffers.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

Alex Otti and his evil machinations against a cerebral institution called Aro.- Bar Nwosu Okereke

Who says Alex cares about Arochukwu?His crafty and fradulent deception called gentleman agreement is no more subsisting.In 2015, Oti pleaded with Aro’s APGA chieftains to allow Luckman Ukara against their wishes to represent them at the State House of Assembly(Arochukwu constituency)which Abam had bestroke for sixteen yrs(16)at the time.Ukara was/is not the people’s choice; but was forced down our throats by Alex Otti for selfishness.

He promised that the next dispensation, that Aro man will go, and Abam will support.That time has come and Otti is playing another game. His trump card this time is: Luckman Ukara did not defect to PDP when other house members from APGA did.

My question is: Is ukara supposed to defect in the first place?

When has lack of political defection become a criterion for automatic ticket?

Is lack of defection equal to performance?

Alex clamouring for a change is a ruse; because he doesn’t have democratic features.

He is very arrogant and sees himself as demi god.So what he is invariably saying is that Aro, as big and intelligent as it is, does not have anybody qualified to represent them at that level.

He is seriously fighting the rights of Aro aspirants in APGA.Ndi-ichie Aro and Aro illustrious sons and daughters will not close their eyes and allow this manipulation to continue.

Luckman cannot point at any project he executed anywhere in Aro LGA;let alone in Aro clan. He is roundly unpopular even in his home town Abam; and in the party he belongs. In the floor of the house, his voice is not heard.He is purely cabbage in, cabbage out.

The only thing going for him, is his closeness to Otti, we are not in doubt about the definition of that affinity. God is the beginning and the end.

By 2019 Abam would have been there for 20yrs consecutively.At present, Aro is found wanting in APGA.Since the creation of Abia as a state, no Aro man has tasted that state. Pls help me tell Otti not to jinx us any further.

Thanks
Barr. Nwosu Okereke

Efcc loses bid to Rovoke Kalu’s Bail

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Monday, rejected an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the revocation of the bail granted a former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Kalu.

Trial judge in the matter is Justice Mohammed Idris.

EFCC’s counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had prayed the court to revoke the bail granted to the former governor while responding to a request by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, for an adjournment of the alleged fraud case against his client due to his absence.

Explaining the reason behind the unavailability of Kalu in court, Monday, Chief Uche told the court that he (Kalu) had travelled out of the country for a surgical operation in Germany.

He said: “My lord, at the last hearing of this matter on July 31, 2018, we did inform the court that the first defendant (Dr. Kalu) had an appointment for a surgical operation which was scheduled for the 2nd of August, 2018, in Germany.

“Incidentally, the first defendant was unable to get a flight out to meet up with the appointment. The Consultant Surgeon, Dr. Mario, thereafter, went for his summer vacation. However, from the communications we have, the only available date for the surgery is today (Monday). We have already made out a letter attached to which are the correspondences fixing the appointment since last week Friday.

“It is very unfortunate that we found ourselves in this circumstance and we shall be applying for an adjournment for the first time in this case. This is the first time the first defendant will be absent in court. We plead for a short adjournment to enable him take this surgery, recover and stand his trial.”

Other defence lawyers, Chief Solo Akuma, SAN and Mr. K. C. Nwofor, SAN, were not opposed to the request for adjournment.

However, in his response, EFCC’s counsel argued that the time given to Dr. Kalu by the court to travel for medical treatment had elapsed and he cannot by himself extended it.

In a short ruling, the court expressed its displeasure over the absence of the former governor, but however, declined the request to revoke his bail and adjourned further hearing in the matter till September 20.

NIGERIA NOT READY FOR STATE POLICE: Abia State A Reference Point…- Ogbe

One may ask, why should Abia State be a case of study in the institution of state policing in Nigeria.

Permit me, in my assumed senseless writing, to state that Nigeria is not yet rip for the institution of state police.

State police is a venture that entails in details, sophisticated mechanisms and techniques in achieving stability in it’s running’s to avoid rancor or frictions in aims or purpose if it’s establishments.

Bringing to summary my bogus explanations above, be it mechanisms or techniques, they all revolve around finances (funds) so huge.

How well can most Nigerian States beat her chest to financing state police, is a big questions we’re yet to answer…

Many may say, the Federal government would make available allocations to shoulder such human project. However, looking down the memory lane, how judicious had the states fend in the allocations made available to pay public service workers???

Now The Big Story…

Imagine a state, in the search for what can be done, to create a peaceful enabling environment for citizen to live safe and freely, instituted a “VIGILANTE GROUP”.

At first it was a thing of joy as many were employed and crossed the idol lines to been useful to the common interest, serving our motherland.

What did they get in returns???

Almost twelve (12) months unpaid salaries…

These are men empowered with guns in the bid to help the NPF cub crimes in the state. Moreover, we must admit before nature, what an angry in hungry man can do, knowing the usefulness of what he was empowered with…” A GUN”….

Why should they ( the Abia State Vigilante Group) be left at the mercies of their principals for their daily bread?

Should they be roped in the agony of meeting up to family needs???

Is Abia State governor, with due respect, Okezie Ikpazu owed his salary nor traveling allowances?? Maybe we should assume the Federal government denied Abia State their monthly allocations that included the 13% derivation funds meant to shoulder the responsibilities of the state…

Or is Abia state still under bondage as they initially propagated on the media to misled citizens?

How well, do you expect such Nigeria States to foot tentatively, State policing???

Do we need to be reminded what a hungry and angry man, empowered with guns can do if frustrated with none payment of salaries??

With the on going salary / hunger strike of the vigilante groups in Abia State, all the PDP media mouth piece are glued to speak. They rather would be the first to lay blames on Buhari’s administration the moment there are security challenges/ bridges in the state, putting blames on the NPF forgetting the possible negative outcome of the neglects of the Okezie Ikpazu’s administrations towards paying attentions to this armed empowered Abia state vigilante personnel.

This I believe are challenges faced in most states of the Federation.

All security agencies are worth treatments enshrined to them by law in the constitution. They make extra efforts watching over the nation while we sleep. They take risks, while we run for safety.

It’s better the state governor, Okezie Ikpazu deprives himself in sacrifice, his salaries than keep these young citizens, with guns and not pay them their wages…

This is a call and cry from the wilderness. The Abia state government must turn his attention to settling these armed vigilante men, it’s their total right.

No wonder the cry to voting out the PDP in Abia State. Their insensitivity to owe even armed Abia state vigilante men is ridiculous. And they want Abians to believe they’re safe…

One thing is certain, the wind of change is around the corner, impunity, gullibility, arrogance and the spell of insufficient morals will meet their judgement come 2019.

The State policing is no doubt a good purpose but I don’t see us good enough to kick start at this point of our democracy.

More hands should be employed in the NPF to meet up the growing populations of Nigeria and more Police divisions created in virtually all communities. This can improve our internal security to reasonable extents. (Personal Opinion)…

I may have tagged my writing senseless, but if we have brains and it works as it should, reading between lines of this absolute write up, there are senses to all that are wise…

Let’s Keep Hopes Alive and join in this historic efforts of making Nigeria great again.

Bernard Ogbe
Political Activist And Seasonal Writer.
bernardogbe@gmail.com

Ex-IGP, Suleiman Abba finally Exposes ‘dirty jobs’ he did for Jonathan

Following attacks he received from Mr. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, former Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba, has finally opened up on the actions he took to forestall the plan to scuttle the 2015 presidential election.

Recall that the Ex-IG of Police, Abba, has vowed to speak up and when he do, Jonathan will be sad, if Omokri does not stop attacking him.

Reacting over Omokri’s incessant attack on him, Abba, in an interview with The Sun, revealed all that happened before and after the 2015 Presidential election which Jonathan lost.

The Ex-IGP said; “The truth about the entire thing was that a certain political party won an election and another political party lost an election. Even Jonathan himself knew that he had lost the election. His Principal Secretary was in a meeting where the entire electoral process was being reviewed bit by bit.

“Immediately it was clear that Jonathan had lost the election, his loyalists began to plot how to disrupt the process. That was when I cautioned them to be careful so they don’t put Nigeria into flames. I suggested that they should allow the process to conclude to avoid crisis that would lead to the death of people. That was when they calmed down and began to accept defeat.

Abba, who said he was accused by Jonathan layolists of working with the then President elect, Muhammadu Buhari, noted that those allegations were baseless and false…

“I wish they could give me examples or instances that such things happened. Some of them alleged that I quickly switched loyalty after Jonathan lost the election. That was totally untrue. I will love them to tell me how and when I did that. They should also substantiate claims of hobnobbing with the then President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. I am a gentleman to the core, a trained policeman who has given his best to the service of Nigeria. It is unfair for someone to make such allegation against me.

Speaking further on what transpired before and after the 2015 election, Abba said; “Shortly before the elections, I was queried by the Presidency for asking the State Commissioners of Police to be civil, impartial and non-partisan in their handling of the elections. I also received a communications from some senior government officials seeking to know why I asked the CPs to be impartial and non-partisan, instead of asking them to help their party win the elections”.

“I was made the chairman of the election security committee and I knew the importance we attached to the election. However, I gave the directive at the regular meeting of police senior officers. But the government officials queried why I should give such directives. They suggested that I do it individually instead of collectively. Meeting and interaction of police officers are regular exercise in the police service whether during elections or not. It is always an opportunity to constantly remind the officers of the need to be professional in their conduct”.

Speaking on the role he played in the plot that led to the removal of the then Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, Abba claimed he acted under the directive of Goodluck Jonathan.

“I didn’t act alone in that saga. The then president gave us the assignment to withdraw the security details of the then Speaker. The assignment was not given to me alone. Myself and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) were given that assignment”.

“I tried as much as I could to convince the president to, at least, allow me retain the ADC of the ex-Speaker, but I couldn’t succeed. Nigerians didn’t really understood what happened at that time and that was because the information available to the public was limited.

Stating his reactions on the verbal attacks he had received from Mr. Omokri, which alleged that he was removed from the Office over a role he played at the then Osun election, Abba said he was not bothered because the ex-aide to Jonathan is yet to come up with facts.

He said; “I challenged them to mention instances where I lied and I will feed them with the truth of what transpired with evidences. Let me correct this impression, I was never removed from office because of the Osun election. That was what the then government told Nigerians, but that was untrue.

“Others said I was removed because of indiscipline in the police. What they described as indiscipline was a case a serving minister who directed an Inspector to compromise the Osun electoral process and the Inspector refused. That was what they meant by indiscipline in the police. We must know that only INEC officials have the right to issue directives at polling units. However, before that election, a senior member of PDP asked me to aid their victory at the polls and I will be confirmed as quickly as possible.

“It made me wonder how a non-voter like me could deliver electoral victory to PDP. Before the election, I visited the state and as always, met and asked the officers to be impartial, civil and non-partisan. I informed them that double sanction awaits anyone that violates the Electoral Law or processes. INEC chairman and I were together at another meeting where I promised all stakeholders that level playing field would be provided for all and that was what we did and no regrets”.

“I am speaking out now because I want some people to stay off my way. They called me betrayer after I was removed from office and I kept quiet because of my background as a trained and disciplined policeman. They called me unprintable names while I was away, but I kept quiet and accepted it with fate. But they have begun again to call my name in their meetings, perhaps, because the elections are around the corner.

“They have begun to re-strategize on how to regain or retain power. But I am being forced to ask if life is all about power and money. But the most important thing for me is for them to leave me alone and I hope they would do that.

Culled from: The Sun

Igbo Not Afraid Of Saraki’s Claim On Tinubu’s Bid – Kalu

Igbo leader and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (MON), has said the Igbos are not bothered by the recent statement credited to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on the 2023 presidency.

Saraki had alleged that the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was supporting the re – election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari because of the ambition of the former Lagos State governor to become president in 2023.

But Kalu, who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH, said the statement credited to Saraki would not affect the resolve of the Igbo to take over the presidency of Nigeria after the eight – year rule of Buhari.

He said, “In politics, there is no total assurance, but it would be good if the country says the war has really ended in South- East Nigeria. It would be good to have an Igbo man as president in 2023.

“We have not got there. When we get to the river, we will cross it. We are still in the Sahara now and I don’t want to dabble in the Saraki and Tinubu issue both of them are very close to me.

“Politicians can say a lot of things; they can quarrel, but we eventually come back to the drawing board and find a common ground. The Igbos are not entertaining any fear over 2023 presidency.”

Kalu expressed confidence that most of the politicians that defected to the Peoples Democratic Party among others from the APC, would soon return to the party because the issues that forced them out would be resolved amicably.

He said the party leadership would determine his fate in the 2023 presidential election but hinted that he would seek election into the Senate next year .

He said, “It is not true that I have a presidential ambition, but let me be honest with you, I am going for Senate. My ability to run anything nationally will be decided by the party.

“The party knows what is wrong and right. The party knows that some people have been disenfranchised and have not produced president of Nigeria since after the civil war, 50 years ago.”

Kalu appealed to Saraki to resign his position as Senate President, noting that the former Kwara State governor ’s new party was in the minority in the red chamber.

He said, “Your party cannot be in the minority and you would want to preside over a chamber of the National Assembly; it is not possible.

People should learn how to respect democratic norms. It is not about the rules of the Senate, it is about what is right and constitutional.