Ikpeazu’s N5M Bribery Allegation Divides Aba Town Union Meetings

The bond holding Igbo communities together, be it in Igbo land or outside the shores of Igbo land is the town union meetings.

A brief research reveals that, these meetings are rooted in time and has over the years impacted positively to the development of many towns and communities as most people that left their various communities in search of greener pastures, created such togetherness to bond and create the template for the development of their birth places.

Thus, Aba the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, also called the Enyimba city is not left out of the town union meetings. Aba has been labelled a ” No Man’s Land” despite it’s obvious identity as the heart of Ngwa Land as it is some times referred to as Aba Ngwa.

Thus, the Enyimba city can proudly boast of playing host to many tribes in Nigeria and some African countries. In Aba, it is a common sight to see town halls spring up all over the town e.g, Ozubulu hall, Mbaise hall, Nkwerre hall, Ekwusigo hall, representing various towns and villages that makes the town thick, even Mosques are not left out as Aba has both Youruba and Hausa Mosques.

In Aba, stranger elements are more than the indigenous people in terms of their population and thus, constitute more in voting strength. This population is what has attracted the PDP led government in the state as they plot to exploit this huge number to their advantage because of the 2019 general elections.

After squandering glaring opportunities to develop Abia state and write his name in gold, the Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu led administration has found succour and political willing tool in the hands of gullible town union meeting Presidents, who also constitute the business men and Aba Landlords for his desperate selfish political gains, having failed woefully to address and confront the problems bedeviling the state like infrastructural decay, non payment of salaries to civil servants and pensioners, collapsed health care system and his lack of vision and inability to drive development to rural areas of the state.

Ikpeazu is alleged to have called a meeting of town Union Presidents in Aba, including Landlords and handed them a princely 5 million naira each to convince their people to support his reelection bid, promising them monthly salaries and government contracts thereafter. It is also alleged that some men of God in Aba are part of this 5 million naira largesse. What a state!

The source also revealed that some Traditional rulers in especially Abia South have also keyed into Ikpeazu reelection conviction bid with a reward of SUV(Jeeps).

The question now is; if Ikpeazu had all these money, why has he not used the money to develop Abia and pay the salary of civil servants, teachers and pensioners?

The man is simply clueless, Mr. Nnamdi Ukaumunna exploded when asked to assess the Ikpeazu led administration. ” This is a man owing workers salary but takes his security votes. Only recently, he bought expensive JEEPS for Justices and the 17 LGA Chairmen but refused to pay workers salary”.

Another contributor, Mr. Kalu Okorie, an Aba based resident said “Ikpeazu is only desperate for second term and once he gets it, the sharing of Abia allocation by few cabals shall continue, while the majority suffer, we must stop Ikpeazu’s second tenure despite his bribery allegations”, he added.

How far Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu desperation to hoodwink Aba people into his failed administration for yet another four years is yet to be seen.

©Newsbuka

Abia 2019: The Opposition May Be Flawed But Okezie Ikpeazu is No longer An Option.- By Dodoh Okafor

I have been in Anambra state since last week for the burial of my grandmother Mrs Felicia Uzoigwe who passed on at the ripe age of 82. May I specially appreciate several friends and mentors who graciously supported us with generous donations. I am most thankful to everyone of you. I pray God to bless and replenish your purses.

The burial rites did keep me away from the social media for the past five days but no day passed by without my thinking of Abia and the mess it has become over the past 20 years and most horribly, the agonies of the past three and half years.

I spend my waking hours thinking about thousands of families that go to bed each night hungry and wake up every morning with a feeling of sense of worthlessness.

I think about the thousands of youths who have no means of livelihood, I think about the traders and artisans and Keke NAPEP operators who are traumatised in their search for daily bread by officials of the Abia state government.

Each morning I replay all the complaints I receive from distressed pensioners and civil servants over refusal of the state government to pay them their statutory entitlements. I think about their regrets, their pains and the vanity of years of labour and sacrifice.

Thinking about Abia and what has become of it gives me endless pains. It is sad that rather than make progress from the modest state of things twenty years ago, Abia has experienced a tailspin decline.

Umuahia now ranks as one of the dirtiest cities in Nigeria. Twenty years ago, Umuahia was a decent place to live and raise families. Residents of Aba are said to breathe the most polluted air in the entire country and yet, Aba is far from being the most industrialized town in the country.

Why have we become a state where the most rudimentary functions of government are completely neglected? From payment of salaries to refuse disposal, funding of schools, employment generation, opening up of investment opportunities, where can one give a pass mark to the Okezie Ikpeazu administration or the ones before it?

Abia has been least fortunate with governance and as bad as Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji were, Okezie Ikpeazu turned what clearly was a very bad situation to the worst it can possibly become.

Mr Ikpeazu is a moral burden on the state, a governor said to take special interest in all sorts of immoral activities which clearly undermine his judgement. Mr Ikpeazu has no business being a governor. He was neither prepared for the job nor had the exposure to bring anything new to the table.

Removing Mr Ikpeazu this 2019 must be seen by everyone of us- adult Abians- as a moral obligation. This most incompetent of leaders cannot continue for a day longer after May 29, 2019.

He lacks the charisma to inspire our people to the heights we aspire to. He is as lousy as he is clearly bereft of leadership acumen to deliver.

We may disagree on the character or background of the opposition candidates but as I have consistently pointed out, politics is not exactly the playfield of saints and righteous men.

We are only seeking to find a man who has the capacity to turn around, the fortunes of our great state, provide us with sound leadership and unleash to the world, the bounded capacity of our people.

We have been caged for too long and it would take a man who understands the demands of modern leadership to turn things around. Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP is not the man we seek.

I have received numerous complaints from people who felt cheated or outplayed in the recent primaries of the two major opposition parties- the APC and APGA.

These reports of manipulation of the intra-party electoral process and results are quite scary for me and must be looked into if we don’t want to have another PDP in our hands. I am one who believes that the process is as important as the end product. People will hardly protest the outcome of a transparent process even if they lose.

I specially sympathise with several candidates who threw in tons of money in campaigning with the hope that they would be offered a better deal by their parties only to be outplayed by those who value money (and pleasure) above the yearnings of our people.

I would encourage the leadership of the parties- especially APGA- to reach out to aggrieved candidates, speak with them and make them good offers to work for the party. It is important to properly manage post-election outcomes to avoid implosion.

The candidates must also realise that party politics is about group interest. Whenever you become a member of a political party, you are automatically subjugating your individual will to the decisions of the party. That is the reason you are advised to join a party whose outlook aligns with your personal convictions.

The grievances of several stakeholders notwithstanding, I believe we are all concerned about one primary objective- a better Abia state- we must never lose sight of that. These grievances and concerns must be set aside at the moment to enable us focus on driving away the parasites and leeches that for 20 years have done nothing but devour our collective wealth.

The elites in the state- the masters of blood tonic- are currently fighting tooth and nail to retain their privileges. It is sad to note that we the people- the real victims of the buccaneering activities of the “blood suckers” – appear fixated with secondary issues.

It is time to wake up from our slumber. We have suffered for too long to be quiet except we have resigned ourselves to being cowards and slaves for ever. For the sake of our children and those coming after them, we must fight with our all to reclaim this state.

Do not forget- we are all responsible for the mess this state has become. No one adult is entirely guilt-free. By negligence or active participation, we have collectively betrayed this state by not stopping this rot earlier. 2019 presents us with a golden opportunity to right the wrongs of the past.

Tell Mr Okezie Ikpeazu that bribing a few outspoken critics with cash offers and appointments won’t save him from the collective angst of our people in 2019. His reign of debauchery will run its full course next year. Then our people will take back this state- and rebuild from the wreckages.

This is my mission- my assignment- to rouse you from your slumber and attitude of helplessness to one of action and conviction.

Thank you again for reading and for your prayers. Please continue to pray for me- for grace to stay firm and for resources `to execute my ideas. May God bless everyone of us.

ABIA CENTRAL WANT ME BACK BECAUSE T. A ORJI HAS FAILED THEM – Sen Nkechi Nwaogu

Senator Nkechi Nwaogu represented the Abia Central Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber between 2007 and 2014 under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

She later dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, she revealed her plans for the senatorial district, pointing out that former Governor T. A. Orji who is currently representing the senatorial zone has not performed to the expectations of the constituents.

Senator Nwaogu, therefore, said that the APC would win the Abia Central District elections in 2019.

Excerpts:

Q: Do you think that your party, the APC is well positioned to take over Abia State from the PDP?

A: The APC has been properly positioned to take over Abia State come 2019. I can comfortably say this because of the crop of men and women who are in the APC in Abia State. Secondly, Abians are waiting for a change, since 1999 Abia has been under bondage of the PDP and everybody knows that Abia needs a change and the change can only come from a party that is designed to bring the change, and that is the APC. With the calibre of people that emerged in the just concluded primaries I can assure you that we have been positioned to take over and Abians are willing to help us take over because it takes two to tangle and it will bring the much needed development Abia needs. People are suffering, the economy is stagnant, so, people are hoping that APC would bring the desired change. The PDP has been in government for over 17 years and we have not seen a single project from them, challenge any PDP member to mention any federally introduced project in Abia State.

Q: But you were a PDP senator, are you saying you did not do anything?

A: I stand tall today and confirm that I, as a legislator, attracted a lot of projects that are there for people to see, but they are tiny projects from just one person, I am talking of the Federal Government under the government of PDP, I challenge them to mention one project they have done in Abia State, I am not talking about the health centres or boreholes that I and other legislators attracted, they are mini-programmes and constituency projects from federal legislators. We have been having a fight with the Federal Government to allow us have our constituency projects, because the Federal Government will not know that we need a health centre in my village, it’s the representatives that will attract that. Mega projects like federal roads, functioning health centres and basic amenities were never provided. It’s just now under this government that dividends of democracy are seen in many states and it’s just in three years – this government has recorded so much democratic dividends, give them another five years to make eight years and I am sure Nigerians will be glad that they have somebody like President Buhari. He doesn’t believe in property acquisition, he believes in giving to the people he is leading. Some people are complaining because they are not allowed to cart away billions of naira. I am saying that Abians in particular are suffering; it is this very crop of men and women that have just been recently elected to fly the flag of the APC that would sweep away with our broom the dirt and stagnation that are in Abia State and we are coming through Abia Central Senatorial District to do restoration and give Abians economic freedom.

Q: With the recent Federal Government projects like PPP and Trader Moni etc, how do you think it would trickle down to give Abia APC an edge in the forthcoming elections, talking about consolidation?

A: Definitely, it would trickle down; people are seeing these new projects of the Federal Government, it falls on us, the candidates and the people of APC to inform Abians that the new projects, for instance, the power project in Ariaria and the roads that are being done, especially in Abia North by NDDC, we will inform Abians that these are projects of the Federal Government and not state so they will know that it is just an evidence of better things to come.

Q: Why did you decamp from PDP to APC?

A: I decamped from PDP about three and a half years ago because they lost focus and vision, when salt ceases to be salt, it can no longer be salt and for someone like me and many more that left them, we left because they derailed and they are still derailing.

Q: …But people are moving from APC back to PDP?

For me, I left because they lost focus and became animalistic, they played God, they had peculiarly consideration that I knew was not sustainable politically that is why I left and I was vindicated. People who are going there are going there to see if they can continue the evil they do. I left because I felt that they were no longer the democratic philosophy for which I saw and joined. They lost that and they are still losing that. Anybody joining them is definitely for personal interest. I am a people’s person, anything I do politically must bring dividend and added value to my people.

Q: Is Senator T.A Orji a threat to you?

A: Absolutely not, I can’t wait for the day of the elections, it will be determined by the good people of Abia Central Senatorial District who have been under bondage of democratic dividend since he took over, who have been under lack of accessibility and quality representation that is what I am offering my people.

Q: What can you say about T.A Orji’s representation?

A: I do not like to mention names, he is not the only one contesting for the position, his government is colourless, he has not done well, that is why the people are yearning for me to come back, because they know what they have lost over this period. As I said earlier, I don’t believe in mentioning names after all I will not be the one to vote myself in, it is the people, and the signs are there that they want me back and, by the grace of God and the support of the people we will flush him out.

Q: What are your plans?

A: I believe in giving my people a representation that is accessible, and ensuring that my people do not lose out in the national distribution of dividends, when these things are lacking, the electorate will suffer. Every senatorial district should take home accessibility, quality representation, dividends of democracy and many more. I hope to continue from where I stopped, improve on what I did before; I hope to bring to my people an atmosphere of sense of belonging because that is what I am known for. I have never been known as somebody who will go to a place where the national dividend is shared and would shy away. Nigeria is a complex nation and if people are not carved out for certain positions and you put them in those positions, they will not perform. My people know I am capable that is why they are sending me back, I have been tested and trusted.

Q: What plans do you have for the women and girls of Abia State?

A: I am a constituent of women’s empowerment, I know federal and state government have policies, but the levels of implementation to getting women to be involved in things is very weak. We will start with programmes that are easily achievable to the ones where you would do comparative analysis.

I will collaborate with NGOs that we have in Abia State and ensure we establish income generating activities. I am not saying we are coming to dash women money; dashing money to anyone is not sustainable. We would have programmes where women can learn fresh skills and vocation. Luckily, I am a finance person, there are so many programmes that enable people to have easy access to funding, and we would provide funds to these women that will enable them actualize the training they have acquired. They will gradually become independent and no one will prey them. Not only for the women even the males too, because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop, if we can provide realizable skills for our youths, there will be a drop in crime rates. The important part is funding for these people to go into the skills they have acquired because it is the only way to have financial independent, nobody can play politics effectively without money.

Q: What do you have to say about the issues in the APC?

A: Well, in my personal opinion, it is quite unfortunate, but that also shows that the party has grown, years ago people were begged to take APC’s ticket, but today you have to struggle and work for the ticket, and if you win like I have, you would know that people have truly chosen you to be their flag bearer, in every contest there would always be a loser and a winner, some people could be termed as bad losers and it is very unfortunate, I do pray that my party would have a mechanism for reconciliation so people won’t drag it and in- jure the name of the party. People will always feel unhappy when they lose; you just have to find a way to reconcile with it.

Q: What are your parting words to the people of Abia Central Senatorial District?

A: As always I have their interest at heart, I am telling them now that I have won my primaries I am asking the good people of Abia Central Senatorial District, the APC people and non-APC people, to come together and put party aside and elect a good candidate that will provide you everything a senator should give to you, they should vote someone that has the capacity and is very accessible not someone who hides under the banner of a Senate because he has something to hide. I also want to thank the Abia Central APC for making me their flag bearer and I am assuring them and all the other people in Abia Central Senatorial District that if I am elected I would return the lost glory.

Abia: Ikpeazu’s govt misuses state, LG billions, triples debts in 3 years (part 1)

Investigations show Abia State Government not only lies about how much it borrows but also defrauds local government areas thereby undermining the bedrock of real development.

The Federal Ministry of Finance Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) documents obtained by The Realm News revealed that the federal government remitted the net sum of N209.336 billion to Abia State FAAC account in 39 months.

It also revealed the reckless management of Abia State funds as the state’s domestic and external debts increased astronomically by 300 per cent during the period under review.

According to the finance ministry, the state executive received the sum of N128.149 billion while the 17 local government areas (LGAs) got the sum of N81.187 billion from May 2015 to July 2018.

Abia: State and local government FAAC allocations
2015: MAY – DEC 2016: JAN – DEC 2017: JAN – DEC 2018: JAN – JULY
Total = N41.553 billion Total = N50.605 billion Total = N66.815 billion Total = N50.363 billion
State: N25.585 billion State: N30.552 billion State: N40.693 billion State: N31.319 billion
17 LGs: N15.968 billion 17 LGs: N20.053 billion 17 LGs: N26.122 billion 17 LGs: N19.044 billion
This analysis shows that from May to December 2015 (seven months) the Federal Government remitted the net sum of N25.585 billion into Abia State account and N15.968 billion into the 17 LGAs account. These amounts, when summed up amounted to N41.553 billion.

Despite receiving this sum in its first seven months, Ikpeazu’s government significantly increased Abia State’s domestic and external debts with N8.404 billion and $7.711 million respectively with no corresponding projects to show for them.

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO) records, Abia State domestic and external debts were N25. 126 billion and $33.791 million respectively before the enthronement of Ikpeazu’s government. The debts, however, rose to N33.530 billion and $41.502 million by December 2015, just seven months into Ikpeazu’s administration.

Suspicions intensified that Abia State government may have deliberately falsified its debts profile to the DMO in order to conceal its frighteningly huge debts. This was based on the revelation contained in the capital development fund documents obtained exclusively by The Realm News few months ago.

The documents revealed that Ikpeazu’s government borrowed N43.02 billion from an unnamed financial institution in 2015 during the ongoing election tribunal and Appeal Court cases. The concealment of the lender amplified doubt that the money was probably not appropriated by the House of Assembly and as such was not declared to DMO.

The Fraud
The Realm News investigation revealed that the N15.968 billion the FG remitted to the 17 LGAs of Abia State in 2015 was diverted by Ikpeazu’s government. The same also applied to subsequent remittances.

For example, in June 2015 immediately Ikpeazu’s government took over, the FG remitted into the 17 LGAs accounts the net sum of N3.668 billion.

Federal government allocation to local governments in Abia State (2015)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA FAAC ALLOCATION
Aba North N188.135 million
Aba South N315.120 million
Arochukwu N220.254 million
Bende N225.002 million
Ikwuano N204.441 million
Isiala Ngwa North N211.160 millionPreviousNext
We can authoritatively report that the trend in Abia State is that LG chairmen are made to sign receipt of these various sums but are given the paltry sum of N3 million to cater for the day-to-day running of their various councils. When summed up, it amounted to N51 million only. In other words, the N15.968 billion remitted to the LGAs in Ikpeazu’s first seven months in 2015, only the sum of N357 million was given to the 17 LGAs while the government diverted the balance of N15.601 billion into personal pockets.

A worker in Umuahia North LGA who preferred anonymity told us that they were not only owed four months’ salary arrears but that government also failed to pay their December salaries that year.

“The governor promised to pay civil servants on or before 25th of every month. Not only that this promise was not kept but we were also owed about four months’ salary arrears,” she said.

“Our most awful moment was when we were not paid our December salaries. No civil servant celebrated the Christmas happily in Abia State in 2015.”

Aside the agonies it caused the Abia LG workers, the criminal diversion of LG funds by Ikpeazu’s government is one of its greatest infamy against the residents. One of reasons for the establishment of local councils is to accelerate development. That explains why Abia State under the watch of Governor Ikpeazu looks like war ravaged city, and its residents like they were returning from refugee camps.

One of the surprising discoveries in the capital development funds documents was that Abia government budgeted revenue for that year was N20 billion but shockingly it claimed that the actual revenue (IGR) derived was just N105 million. That is N15 million generated internally every month for seven months.

This is laughable when you consider the number of lock-up shops and motorist in Abia State. For instance, the National Bureau of Statistics in its July 2010 bulletin revealed that the number of persons working in the informal sector (traders, artisans and commuters) in Abia State was 1,765,008 million. Though this number has increased, Abia State government will generate the sum of N1,765,008,000 (one billion, seven hundred and sixty-five million and eighty thousand naira) just taxing each of these informal workers N1,000 monthly.

This example is exclusive of monies generated also from taxes and levies, including Personal Income Tax; Withholding Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Stamp Duties on instruments executed by individuals. Yet Ikpeazu’s government said it generated N105 million, that is N15 million monthly during the period under review.

Going by the roguish IGR of N105 million it declared, the total amount Ikpeazu’s government received from the FG and from various loans in seven months’ (May – Dec 2015) was N84.678 billion. Yet nothing was achieved, not even the constant payment of workers.

©The Realm News

2019: “Hungry, desperate PDP” does not deserve your votes, Amaechi tells Nigerians

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday in Ibadan urged Nigerians not to vote for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying it is “ desperate and hungry for power.’’

The minister made the plea at a Special Town Hall Meeting on Infrastructure organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture to showcase the achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Amaechi said that the Buhari administration had recorded unprecedented achievements on infrastructure development in three and half years than the 16 years rule of the PDP.

He said the PDP, while in power, turned the nation to a “feeding bottle” by abandoning critical infrastructure and “ sucking” the economy for personal gains.

The minister urged Nigerians to resist the PDP by voting for Buhari and ensuring that they guard their votes during the 2019 general elections.

Amaechi also said that the ruling party was prepared for an open debate with the PDP on the successes recorded, especially on infrastructure development.

“We are ready for the PDP candidate to confront us with what they achieved in 16 years and compare them to what we have done in just three and half years.
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“We are open for the debate, our achievements on infrastructure are there to showcase,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the government was working hard to ensure the completion of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project by February 2019.

“We are working day and night on this project and we have started laying the tracks from Papalanto.

“I want to thank the people and the communities along the rail tracks for their cooperation because they have never given us trouble,” he said.

The minister also said that after completing the Lagos-Ibadan section of the project, the focus would turn to the Lagos-Kano standard gauge.

Amaechi also disclosed that the government was embarking on a $500 million transit camp initiative on the Ibadan-Iseyin road in Oyo State which would have a modern mall and hotel.

He urged residents of Ibadan to take advantage of the booming economic activities as a result of the Federal Government initiatives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and his Water Resources counterpart, Suleiman Adamu, gave the scorecards of the administration from the perspective of their respective ministries.

2019: ABIA STATE DEPUTY GOV’S AIDE DEFECTS TO APC, SAID PDP IS DARKNESS

Former aide to Abia State Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, Honorable Onyeze Henry Ndukwe has defected to APC after a long battle for relevance between him and the deputy governor in their community Nkporo in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

Honorable Onyeze Henry Ndukwe who recently has been having political disagreement with Abia State Deputy Governor, had earlier formed a bond with former house of representative member Rt. Hon. Arua Aruasi. But after the recent realignment between the Deputy Governor and Arua Aruasi, Honorable Onyeze has decided to completely move out of PDP to APC with his followers in Nkporo community.

The defection rally which was graced by Abia State former governor and APC Abia North Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu saw the defection of more than 100 persons to APC.

During the defection rally, Orji Uzor assured the people of Ohafia that he will deliver if sent to the national assembly to represent Abia North. He listed the roads he has already attracted in Abia North and assured the people that he will attract more if sent to Abuja.

The former governor also revealed that both Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa were both made by him and so he knows what to do to defeat them.

During an interview with Honorable Onyeze Henry Ndukwe who was also a former MD at ABROMA, he stated that in PDP they were in darkness, but that light has come now that they have joined APC.

He assured APC that he will deliver Nkporo community to APC and Ohafia LGA by extension.

©AFN

Buhari has done better than PDP 16years in Electricity, Fashola claims By Dennis Erezi

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the president Muhammadu Buhari administration has done better in power generation, transmission and distribution than the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did in 16 years of its administration.

Fashola, a former governor of Lagos state for eight years in 2015 during the Buhari campaign for presidency bashed the PDP, saying problems of power supply would be fixed within Buhari’s first four years in power.

Fashola is the man charged with ensuring that steady power supply becomes a reality in the country. But three years after in charge, Nigeria is still struggling with the provision of a stable power supply.

“You will compare our record of three years with what we met after the previous 16 (sixteen) years,” he said at the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) breakfast forum.

“If you compare our performance record in three years with the 16 – year record of the previous administration in the areas of Generation, Transmission and Distribution you will get the following instructive results.”

“Incremental Generation of 1000MW per year against 4000MW in 16 years which amounts to 250MW per year, Transmission capacity improvement by 666MW per year against 5000MW in 16 years which amounts to 312.5MW per year and Distribution capacity improvement by 740MW per year as against 3,000MW in 16 years which amounts to 187.5MW per year.”

“I made it clear that our intention was to improve your power supply experience gradually rather than discuss the megawatts as the quantum of power, and that any reference to the megawatts would be measuring milestones of our progress in the journey of incremental power.”

“If you do not define your goal against your reality, progress will be difficult to recognise,” Mr Fashola said. “As to where we were in 2015, power generation was averaging 4,000 MW; transmission was averaging 5,000 MW and distribution was averaging 3,000 MW.

“As to what we promised, I stated in my very first public briefing in November 2015 that contrary to previous practice, we were committing to a journey; first of getting incremental power, with the plan to proceed to steady power, and ultimately get uninterrupted power.

Fashola said records show that from 4,000MW, the generation has reached 7,000MW, averaging incremental generation of 1,000 MW every year since 2015.

Similarly, the minister said transmission has reached 7,000MW from 5,000MW, averaging 666 MW of incremental transmission every year and distribution peaked at 5,222MW in January of this year, from about 3,000 MW in 2015, averaging 740 MW incremental distribution capacity every year.

“How far we can go depends on what those of you who will decide who forms the next government do when you vote,” Fashola said

He disclosed that by end of this year, another 945 MW will be ready for supply from the following power plants Azura (450MW), AFAM IV (240MW), Kaduna (215MW) and Kashimbilla (40MW). Zungeru (700MW) and Okpai II (450MW), both totalling 1,150MW, are expected to come into operation between 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

DR UCHECHUKWU SAMPSON OGAH AND PARTY LEADERS APPOINTS BARR. K. C. UGBAJA AND BARR. F. N. NWAOSU AS DIRECTOR GENERAL AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HIS CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION

PRESS RELEASE

DR UCHECHUKWU SAMPSON OGAH AND PARTY LEADERS APPOINTS BARR. K. C. UGBAJA AND BARR. F. N. NWAOSU AS DIRECTOR GENERAL AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HIS CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION

After due consultation with stakeholders and members of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah and the leadership of the party in the state has approved the appointment of Barr. K. C. Ugbaja as the Director General of his Campaign Organisation and Barr. F. N. Nwaosu to serve as his deputy.

Barr. K. C. Ugbaja was the Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, where he served meritoriously. He is a respected leader in the All Progressives Congress and a strategic player in Abia State politics. An astute lawyer with many years experience and vast business interest.

Barr. Friday Nwosu, is also a legal icon of repute and a strategic thinker. He was a gubernatorial aspirant in the just concluded primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State. He challenged the nomination and emergence of Dr. Ikpeazu as the state governor in 2015, on the grounds that he provided offensive tax papers ‎to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Their appointment is based on their wealth of experience and is strategic to securing victory for the party in the upcoming governorship election in Abia State. They have the mandate to coordinate his campaign and to ensure the smooth running of Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah’s electoral affairs.

By their appointment, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah has ensured that many of the capable hands in the party are brought on board to deliver on his promises of transforming Abia State into a prosperous economy.

Membership of the Campaign Council will be announced soon and the full list will be published.

ABIA REJOICE……

Great Imo Jonathan

THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO DR. UCHECHUKWU SAMPSON OGAH ON MEDIA

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MY THOUGHTS ON DR UCHE SAMPSON OGAH OON, ABIA STATE AND GOOD LEADERSHIP – BY MONDAY UBANI ESQ.

I met Dr Uche Ogah in a Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship program sometime in 2009. By then, I was already a successful President of the Fellowship being the first President of a chapter to birth two chapters in a day. His testimony at the event was powerful and touching that my heart immediately connected to him. We lost touch thereafter.

I met Ogah again at our Monthly Meeting of Presidents and Directors of Full Gospel Fellowship somewhere in Ilupeju in Lagos and I took his phone number and we maintained a phone relationship. One day I received a call from him after he had watched me on Channels television where I had gone to discuss the rot in the oil sector of our economy.

He clarified certain facts on the sector and promised to give me more accurate information on the ongoings in the sector having seen that I have a desire for transparency in the sector. We became close and when I became the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, he was very much instrumental to the success of my tenure as the Branch Chairman of the most vocal and respected branch in Nigeria. My records of service at the branch between the years of 2012 to 2014 are verifiable.

DR UCHE OGAH OON IS FROM ABIA.

I related with Dr Ogah as an Igbo brother until he told me one day that he is from Uturu in Abia State. My interest in him grew in leaps and bounds when I heard of his philanthropic exploits in Igboland generally and in Abia State in particular. He was the greatest supporter in the development of basic infrastructures in Abia State University, Uturu. He gave and still gives scholarship to several students in Abia. He empowered thousands of hopeless and indigent citizens including widows some of whom he built houses for. Uche Ogah became husbands to the widows, father to the fatherless, brother to the hopeless and oppressed citizens and a provider to those that lacked money and food. All these he accomplished at a tender age of less than 45 years!

I have visited his office and home several times and on each occasion I have marveled at his patience, meticulousness in attending to everyone that sought his audience and assistance. No soul has ever come to this golden soul without receiving attention and succor. Dr Ogah does not discriminate, does not segregate and does not deprecate, he sees all, no matter your state, status, religion and tribe. Such a lovely soul!

ABIA, GOD’S OWN STATE.

I have already been worried about the State of Abia and the kind of leadership that have presided over the state of affairs there. My first observation was that the average Abian is not as politically conscious like other States in the region, they are mostly docile politically. Funny enough the State boasts of the greatest men and women living and dead in Nigeria. It may interest you to know that the first military Head of Nigeria, Late General Aguiyi Ironsi was from Abia; Dr Michael Okpara, the greatest and most progressive Premier in Nigeria was from Abia State, the first Igbo Chairman of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor is from Abia State, not forgetting Rtd Major Gen Ike Nwachukwu, former governor and former External Affairs Minister of Nigeria, Retired Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu, former governor of Lagos and Imo states, Retired Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe who was the Chief of General Staff(Vice President under the military) in the regime of General Ibrahim Babaginda(Retd).

With these great sons and daughters and many more that I have omitted, one would expect Abia to be in the state of Eldorado in terms of quality governance, development of basic infrastructures and lively economy that provides jobs and engagement to the teeming youths who are yearning for employment. Alas, the reverse is the case; the state of Abia remains an unmitigated disaster!

Having come from there, I felt obliged to be concerned and worried about the poor state of Abia back home, but felt helpless and hopeless by the type of leadership and politics prevalent there. The leadership then and now are not receptive to criticisms, corrections and assistance. They indulge in “get and share”(Agbata eke e mentality) which has been on since the creation of the State till date.

One night I could not sleep; throughout that night my thoughts centered on Dr. Ogah as one who has the following characteristics and capacities listed below that can help get Abia out of the doldrums:

(1) The heart of service which he has showed and still showing in the private sector.

(2) The love of the people at heart (very important). Dr Ogah loves all irrespective of status, age, religion, tribe etc.

(3) Tremendous success at the private sector ( arguably the highest private employer of labour from Abia State as at today).

(4) One of the greatest committed lover of Abia State who has established a multi billion Naira industry (conglomerate) in Onuaku, Uturu, Abia state as at today.

(5) He is not one person coming to government of the State as a pauper but as a billionaire with his resources and contact to move the State forward.

(6) He has the financial muscle to translate the ambition into reality; winning election in Nigeria is not a tea party. He will initiate and others will support to change the political narratives in Abia.

(7) He is a true child of God who fears God and His ultimate judgement. Dr Ogah will enthrone fear of God, godliness, honesty, transparency and accountability in governance in the State.

(8) Has a clear vision of what to do in ABA TO BRING IT BACK AS THE economic and commercial HUB OF THE EASTERN REGION OF NIGERIA. Aba has the highest and biggest economic potentials in the entire region, better than Nnewi and Onitsha combined!

(9) He has the magic wand and plan to maximize the agricultural potentials of the State to the fullest by getting the Abians back to farm with modern and improved method of farming and harvesting for exports to other States and Abroad.

I am convinced that he has the capacity to:

(10) Revive and resuscitate all the dead industries and companies in the State.

(11) Engage in massive dualization of roads in towns, building more roads in major towns, cities, villages and most interior rural areas in the State.

(12) Return Umuahia, Aba, Arochukwu, Ukwa, Ngwa, Ohafia, Bende, Uturu and all other major towns in Abia to LIFE and if possible maintain 24-hours economic activities with aggressive lightening of all the cities and towns with security and safety AS priority!

(13) Clear all arrears of salaries and pensions and prompt payment of these obligations monthly and religiously.

(14) Provisions of adequate capital allocation, and development of the educational, health and social amenities like water, sanitary and environmental services to the citizens.

(15) Empowering the youths, employing those that are employable to get social amenities and services back to the people thereby reducing unemployment and criminality in the State.

(16) Funding, equipping and assisting the federally-controlled security agencies to provide security, safety to lives and property in the State (economic activities thrive in a safe environment, Lagos and Enugu States are good examples).

(17) Use his contact and connection with proactive, aggressive and attractive policies to bring in local and foreign Investors into the State and for them to engage in all the sectors of the economy, like farming, industries, housing, environmental and other social services.

(18) Laying down an economic blueprint that will make it very easy for the sons and daughters of the State and other Nigerians to come and invest in Aba and Abia generally with liberal, tax free and rebate policies.

(19) Getting all those in music, entertainment industry and sports to relocate to Abia and turn Abia’s tourist potentials to money making ventures. Abia shall be an entertainment hub in the old eastern region, once again.

(20) PUTTING ABIANS FIRST IN EVERY DECISION MAKING POLICY WITH COMPREHENSIVE AND WELL ARTICULATED POLICIES THAT ADDRESS THE PEOPLES’ WELFARE, JUSTICE DELIVERY, SECURITY, AND MAKING ABIANS TO REJOICE AGAIN IN THE LAND, AS GOD’S OWN PEOPLE!

WHAT I TOLD DR. OGAH.

That night was a night of decision for me. I was convinced that I needed to share this troubling moment with Dr Uche Ogah and I did that by calling and booking appointment with him in his office. When I came, and just like any other day, many were waiting to see him. I waited until it became my turn. I quickly shared my thoughts with him and the response I got was a smile and handshake when I was about to leave, with no definite response to my thoughts. I forgot about it and life moved on.

Sometime in 2013 while holidaying in UK, I got a call from Dr Ogah who asked where I was, I promptly replied that I was in UK on a short holiday with my family. He requested that I should see him whenever I come back to Nigeria. I was very happy, thinking that at last he has decided to give me a brief as I had earlier on applied to be one of his external solicitors to his numerous companies.

When I came back and reported to his house, it was not a brief but a RESPONSE TO MY EARLIER REQUEST, that God has finally given answer to what I came to share with him some months ago; that he is going to contest for the governorship position in Abia State under PDP. He told me that day, that God had earlier on spoken to him about the rescue plan of Abia, but that he needed adequate confirmation from the Almighty God before the “plunge”. The confirmation that he should take the decision to rescue the State came through multiples sources one of which was my sleepless night and the discussion thereafter.

I was happy, no doubt, but the first thing that raced to my brain was to ask him whether he has gotten the clearance and buy-in of the then incumbent governor of the State( you know who I meant?) I asked him and he gave me an assurance that POWER is not given by any person but gotten from God and individual effort. That made a whole lot of sense to me!

We set out to work, put up a team both at Lagos and at Abia State; a DG and workers were appointed at Abia. Office was rented and work for his primaries started in earnest. The candidate, Dr Ogah, a soft spoken young man, humble and intelligent philanthropist was not known in person but his conglomerate MASTERS ENERGY WAS A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN NIGERIA AND ABIA IN PARTICULAR. The task before us then was to give the Abians the face behind MASTERS ENERGY. That task was quickly and masterly accomplished because of the tremendous and unprecedented GOODWILL enjoyed by his company, Masters Energy.

ABIA REJOICE became a Movement in Abia, Uche Ogah became the poster boy ready to take Abia to the next level. The primary election for the gubernatorial position for PDP took place sometime in December 2014 and despite all the shenanigans that took place in the name of election, Dr Uche Ogah OON, Agu Na Echemba Ndi Abia, Onwa Ndi Abia Gburugburu came second with about 103 Votes. They were stunned, “how”? they asked, but the “how” they know. The hand and power of God is with Dr Uche Ogah. Despite the fact that the powers that be had decreed to enthrone a particular candidate by making sure that all the delegates were kept incommunicado in an unknown venue and induced financially to vote against Dr Ogah, the Delegates still collected their money and came out and boldly voted for him.

Having “lost” the election that was clearly marred with irregularities, Dr Ogah’s Campaign Team complained to the Party to correct the irregularities and they were ignored, and so they sought reprieve in the court. THE BATTLE ENDED AT THE SUPREME COURT IN “THEIR FAVOUR”. The rest as we used to say in this part of the world is HISTORY, BUT NOTE THIS, OUR JURISPRUDENCE NO DOUBT WAS MADE RICHER BY THAT LEGITIMATE PURSUIT OF AN AGGRIEVED CITIZEN.

BUT WE HEARD GOD CLEARLY THAT DR UCHE OGAH SHOULD COME TO LIBERATE ABIA.

There is time to win and time to lose, this is recoded in the holy books, more importantly, God said that “He makes all things beautiful in HIS OWN TIME” “HE has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work which God has done from beginning to the end”. (Ecclesiastic chapter 3 verse 11). The issue is that God has a set-time, sort of time table for every event and thing under the sun.

As PDP in Abia became a personal property of some people and families in Abia, Dr Ogah decided to change venue and structure to actualize God’s desires for his people in Abia State. Please bear this in mind, Dr Ogah’s movement to All Progressive Congress (APC) was after praying and hearing from Heaven directly; it was not done on the spur of the moment or under the heat of passion, NAY! The same God who asked him not to leave PDP even when he knew they will manipulate the system and he had other opportunities to move to, told him now that IT IS TIME TO CHANGE VENUE AND SPACE(He Dr Uche Ogah had dwelt on the mountain of PDP for too long.)
And last year he JOINED APC as a Party. AND SO FAR, SO GOOD!

APC’S GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION IN ABIA STATE.

We were very apprehensive during the Primary Election of APC, on whether the party will do the right thing by allowing a free, fair and credible process knowing the forces of evil that are arrayed against this God-ordained ambition and desire for Abians. BUT Man proposes, and God disposes. The primary election of APC was conducted by the constitutionally recognized Exco of the party ( led by Chief Donatus Nwamkpa) through the Gubernatorial Election Committee sent by the National Working Committee. The Party conducted what will be regarded as the freest and fairest primary election ever conducted by a political party in Nigeria during which Dr Uche Sampson Ogah OON emerged as the preferred choice of the party through direct primaries. As soon as the Chairman of the Election Committee, Hon David Iyorha announced the result, all the other co-contestants about (4) four of them congratulated Dr Ogah, pledging their support and commitment to work for the party to rescue Abia from ruin and penury!

ABIA CAME ALIVE AS DESTINY IS ABOUT TO BE FULFILLED.

From the land of Ngwa, to the hills of Umuahia and to the mountains of Ohiafia, Ukwa, Arochukwu came thunderous shouts of joy and jubilation. Songs were heard in the hinterlands and music and dances were composed and made in the towns and villages in Abia. that the set time is birthed! Once has God spoken, several times have we heard HIM that POWER BELONGS TO GOD AND HE GIVES IT TO WHOMSOEVER HE WILLS IN HIS OWN TIME. THAT APPOINTED TIME IS HERE!

My last article before the primaries IN ABIA is that AFFLICTION SHALL NOT RETURN TO ABIA THE SECOND TIME(Nahum 1:9).

It is important for an average Abian at home and in diaspora to understand and appreciate what is at stake here: it is about divine mandate to rescue Abia from ruins and destruction. The present government has been in power for about four years and is unable to pay salaries and pensions for several months now. It has no legitimacy to request for second tenure, simple. Families and relations of the victims in Abia State have no moral right to renew their sufferings and pains by re-electing failure. It makes no sense!

IF AFTER 3 YEARS AND COUNTING, AN NGWA MAN AS GOVERNOR OF ABIA, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE RESUSCITATION OF ABA FROM RUINS AND DILAPIDATION, THAT NGWA MAN DOES NOT DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE FOR IT IS SAID IN POLITICS THAT ONE GOOD TERM DESERVES ANOTHER.
I ask where is the good works, good governance, infrastructural developments that we see in States like Ebonyi, Enugu and other neighboring States that are non oil states that will make NDI ABIA to have THE MORAL TURPITUDE TO GRANT THE PDP- LED GOVERNMENT A SECOND TERM? I am afraid, NONE!

ABIANS ARISE AND LET THE DEMONS THAT HAVE HELD ABIA HOSTAGE BE SCATTERED.

LET GOD ARISE, LET ABIANS ARISE too, to rescue Abia from ruins. This is a clarion call for a rescue mission. This is a serious call, that has nothing to do with sentiments, personal interest, zoning-mania, God fatherism , occultism, clannishness and other primordial sentiments that have been dangled over us and kept us where we have been for the past years as a State. We cannot afford to remain blind anymore.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! IT IS TIME TO JOIN OTHER PROGRESSIVE STATES LIKE ENUGU, EBONYI(created out of Abia), Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and even Imo State (at least Imo state Is not what it used to be, there have been some level of development that are visible there). Contrast these States with ABIA STATE THAT HAS ITS “DEVELOPMENT” SHOWCASED ON AFRICAN INDEPENDENT TELEVISION(AIT), WITNESSED ONLY BY CHIEF ZEBRUDAYA OKORO IGWE NWAOGBO, ALIAS 4.30 of the popular Masqurade Comedy on NTA. A man that is masqueraded cannot see clearly, and no wonder a dilapidated and ruinous Aba looks like “London” to him. Chai, Chineke ekwela ihe ojoo(“God forbid bad thing”)

LET ABIANS DECIDE THEIR FATE AND BEGIN TO WITNESS DEVELOPMENT BY THEMSELVES ALL OVER ABIA. THE TIME TO CHANGE THE SAD STORY OF ABIA IS NOW AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT LIES IN THE HANDS OF EVERY ABIAN. ARISE ABIANS, AND LET US CHANGE OUR SAD STORY, FOR THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE!.

Good morning Ndi Abia.

Mr Monday O. Ubani
Legal Practitioner.

ABIA: APGA, SDP To Submit To APC In Abia

Breaking News

Dr Uche Ogah, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia, on Friday in Abuja expressed optimism that the party would take over the state in 2019.

Ogah spoke with State House correspondents after he and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, had a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

The governorship candidate said that executive members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) would soon `submit’ to APC in Abia State.

He said that his chances in the governorship contest were very bright as he was the man to beat, adding that he was upbeat that President Muhammadu Buhari would also win the presidential election in 2019.

Ogah said that if elected, he would harness the untapped potentials of Abia for the good of the citizens.

According to him, he will improve security, facilitate industrialisation, ensure good welfare for the people and revolutionalise development in the state.

Ogah, who is the President of Maters Energy Group, said if elected, he would ensure that infrastructure in Abia State would be second to none ever since the inception of Abia State.

“If you get to Abia State, everywhere is Uche Ogah; he is the only answer for the people of Abia State; I am the only person who has the capacity to take Abia State to the next level.

“My message is that of hope; the future is brighter; there is hope for every Nigerian come 2019 and Buhari is voted into power the second time.

“If you are on ground, you will know that people went to APGA because I refused to go to another party.

“There was apathy of the people; but by next week the entire executive of APGA are submitting themselves to APC in Abia State.

“The entire executive of SDP are submitting themselves to APC; if you go to Abia, you ask questions; there is only one candidate to beat and that is Uche Ogah.

He said that Abia people earnestly yearned for him to tackle the persistent challenge of bad roads and infrastructure facing the state.

On his part, Nnamani told State House correspondents that the party was still harmonising after its primaries and congresses.

The APC chieftain said that there were quite a few conflicts which were common in a political arena.

“Right now, we are grappling with the outcome of the primaries, trying to bring everybody together.

“We are not asking anybody to go to hell; we are asking them to come together; if you do not do well, there is nothing to cheer; if you do well, everybody will be happy.

“We are still working on appeasing a number of people so that we can be happy,’’ he said.

Nnamani said that APC was a national party, adding that the stakeholders were working towards integrating the people of the southeast

CRISIS ROCKS DR. ALEX OTI’s 2019 GOVERNORSHIP AMBITION AS CLOSE ASSOCIATES DUMP HIM CITING LACK OF LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND PERSONALIZING THE PARTY.

Troubled waters seem to have swept the Governorship moves of Dr. ALEX OTI as he may become a lone man in his making. Available information has it that Chief Oti has lost romance with his strong voice who Helped his Ambition in 2015.

Oti has first given a hard elbow on his right man Ahamdi Nweke who ran for Abia Central Senatorial District in 2015 and also worked as his Agent in 2015. The man who many see as a strong man who almost sacrificed his life for Alex Oti in 2015 to ensure that Dr. OTI is announced winner in an election oti widely claimed he won and was edged out.

OTI in a selffish plan to attract the sympathy of the Ngwa clan had asked Chief Nweke to jettison his Ambition for Senate in 2019 to Pave way for his lately acquired romance with Chief Chidi Ajaegbu whom he believed has the financial muscle to fight the former Governor of the state.

Many who had worked closely with Oti maintained that he lacks leadership qualities that can keep faithful followers, too autocratic and selffish in nature.

The latest set of close associates who has recently dumped him and deserted his Party APGA has kept onlookers worried if at all Oti can come any thing close 3rd position if he eventually flies the APGA governorship ticket in 2019.
Political Analyst has maintained that Uche Ogah’s entrance into the 2019 Guber race smell great doom for both ikpeazu and most especially Oti whom the people said has been enjoying Ogah’s fan.

Chief Amb. Charles Nzechifoundation Paddy Anyatonwu and his political son Igwe Samuel Obinna are part of Oti’s strong strong voice who deserted him lately.

BREAKING: Senator Ike Ekweremmadu Set To Dump PDP For APC, To Meet With Buhari

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu is on his way out of PDP over maltreatment The Eastern Telegraph has Learned. According to information available to us, the Deputy Senate President has been furious that he has been neglected by the party leadership who reneged on the agreement reached before the Presidential Primary Election.

Deputy Senate President is not happy that the Position of Vice Presidency was not given to him.

“We were surprised that the position of the vice presidency was not given to him. He was the Favorite before Obi was considered by Atiku. You may have heard that some forces opposed the Obi vice Candidacy, the truth is, some Forces still do oppose the Decision by Atiku. My only hope is that they resolve this issue before it’s too late. The DSP is not just anyone our party can ignore. We really need him on board fully.”

Recall that This issue was first disclosed by Channels TV reporter Seun Okin who wrote…

‘Ekweremadu may be on his way out of PDP. News coming from close sources to the Deputy Senate President indicates that there are mounting pressure on him to quit the party over alleged mistreatment’

Biafra: IPOB sacks Nnamdi Kanu, gives reasons

The Director of Strategy and Documentation of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Olisa Mbakwe on Monday announced that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu has been sacked from the group.

Reacting, Mbakwe described Kanu as an “insensitive and callous leader that has no value for his own followers but rather his dog, Jack whom he paid tributes to after his long disappearance from the struggle”.

In a statement he personally signed, Mbakwe, of IPOB, also insisted that Kanu was a “traitor not worthy of any leadership position anywhere in the world”.

Mbakwe said Kanu was fired for placing more value on his dog than those murdered in the struggle for the realisation of Biafra.

Speaking during Sunday’s broadcast from his base in Israel, Kanu mourned his dog and “a few other people” in his compound, who lost their lives when military men invaded the place in September 2017.

He stated that Kanu was removed for reasons which included, “personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the core objectives of IPOB as a grassroots movement”.

The statement read: “On Sunday, October 21, 2018, an individual, Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, claiming to be the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director General of Radio Biafra made a live broadcast that has left us perplexed, because it is unthinkable that someone will impersonate IPOB to the point of plotting to abuse the organization to hurt the interest of Biafra.

“The strength of the Republic of Biafra that we are struggling to actualize, is in its human resources as embodied in our versatile youths that dominate the fields of play across sectors of human endeavor; the country we have set our vision on creating is therefore not to be made up of tombstones but of people fulfilling their life missions as ordained by God.

“Nnamdi Kanu relinquished his position as the leader of IPOB struggle the day he deserted our members to die, when they had mobilized to stand for our belief in Biafra at his residence in Afaraukwu. Several of our members were injured and some died in that encounter and even after emerging from hiding more than one year later all Kanu could do was to desecrate their memory with his radio broadcast. Nnamdi Kanu vividly, specifically and particularly recalled his family dog, Jack, by name while he dismissed our members that died as mere statistics — he only recalled them as 28 IPOB members.

“Even if Kanu had not deserted, there is no way we would have continued under the leadership of a man that values his family dog more than Biafrans.

“We are not unmindful of how Kanu struck the deal that granted him bail in the first place while abandoning our members, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawusi, Bright Chimezie Ishinwa and Chidiebere Onwudiwe to languish in jail. Instead of using his freedom to accelerate the freedom of these authentic freedom fighters, he rather went about Biafra land receiving obeisance from Biafrans like a monarch, when our dear land is completely republican. The travails of these our brothers are not over yet and might have been worsened by Kanu’s live broadcast, which has totally upset us.

“In line with the decisions earlier announced on Radio Biafra on November 17, 2017 that Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili is the new director for the radio, we reaffirm that Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu remains sacked as the Director of Radio Biafra and has also been removed as the leader of IPOB since he has proven he is not a worthy leader that respects the sanctity of the lives of our members.

“Following interventions by our leaders, considerations were being made to reverse the earlier announcement but after studying the Kanu’s live broadcast from Israel we came to the painful conclusion that we cannot make progress with our vision of Biafra, when one man has completely personalized and commercialized the struggle. The decision to drop Nnamdi Kanu from playing leading roles in IPOB affairs is hereby upheld. We shall announce replacements after consultations with the various stakeholders.”

Emulate Orji Kalu – Fr. Mbaka To Igbo Leaders

Former governor of Abia State and foremost business man, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has been described as a force to reckon with and a man the South East people should respect.

The Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, stated this in a chat with Editor in Chief, Abia Breaking News at his residence in Enugu.

Fr. Mbaka maintained that his ability to attract developmental projects to the South East has earned him a pride of place and should be emulated by other top shots in the region.

The renowned cleric had during his homily advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all the bad eggs in his administration or risk being voted out in 2019.

He decried the hardship and downturn of businesses since the start of the Buhari led administration in 2015, noting that some persons who are advising the president wrongly are feeding fat from the nation’s commonwealth while the masses continue to suffer.

Fr. Mbaka, however prayed for good health and wisdom for the nation’s leaders who mean well for the country.

©Abacityblog.com

Nnamdi Kanu: The Delusions of a Megalomaniac… By Dodoh Okafor

Up until yesterday, 21st October, I was a sympathizer of Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB. I had considered them to be a group of sincere men and women committed to advancing the welfare of the people of South East and South South Nigeria albeit in a way many would consider crude.

I had also expressed real concerns about the group’s apparent disregard for human lives, condemning severally, their tendency to expose members- especially innocent youths- to avoidable deaths and injuries that happen each time they clash with members of the Nigeria security operatives.

I have also been concerned about the “Biafra or death” stance of Mr Kanu which his followers swallowed hook, line and sinker. Then the group’s vitriolic, abusive attacks on our elders and institutions- especially the Ohaneze Ndiigbo and her leadership also worried me.

I was also in disagreement with Kanu’s diagnosis of the crises of development in Igboland. Kanu made it his daily hymn to blame Hausa-Fulanis for every problem we face in Igboland from low-zero infrastructure to marginalization in appointment and spread of opportunities.

Most amusingly, Kanu sought to make mockery of the institution of the Church of Christ in Igboland, concocting all sorts of conspiracy theories to discredit Christianity and Christian leaders.

Why did I continue to hold some sympathy for Mr Kanu despite his error-ridden method and outlook?
Simple. I like the fact that the pains of our people meant something to him. I also like the fact that he volunteered to mobilize our people at a time some triumphalists were still living in what has now turned out to be pure delusion after the 2015 elections.

Importantly, I believe in leadership. It is better to be led by a bad leader than live with a leadership vacuum. Kanu’s leadership model, however flawed served its purpose.

I am of the view that his situation was badly managed by the political and cultural leadership in Igboland.
Kanu should have been offered a place at the table and carried along in our negotiations with the Nigerian state. He demonstrated- through his management of Radio Biafra- his platform to fame- that he has something the Igbo race needs- boldness, fearlessness and a keen sense of history.

Kanu and his group were supposed to have provided us the leverage to earn better deal with the Nigerian state. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not talking about some under-the-table deals and corrupt riches. I am looking at important matters like infrastructure, creation of economic opportunities and better deals for our youths.

Now you may also want to know why I believe Kanu’s diagnosis of the Igbo problem was wrong. One, blaming Hausa-Fulanis for our problems meant that we exonerated Igbo leaders who were supposed to negotiate with the Nigerian state on our behalf.

Igbo leaders and institutions have received over 30 trillion naira from various local and international revenue channels in the last 20 years. Pray, where are these funds going into? Why are our roads still decrepit, why is something as elementary as refuse disposal still a problem in Aba and Umuahia?

The Abia and Imo state governors receive the federal allocation between the 15th and 18th of every month- the same way the governor of Gombe receives his. How come Abia and Imo workers and pensioners being owed for a combined 60 months? Are they waiting for instruction from the Sultan before they pay workers in their states?

How about the hundreds of billions Igbo lawmakers receive every year as constituency allowance? Where does it go to? How many students do these senators and HoR members have on scholarships? How many schools are they building? What projects are they really executing?

80-90 percent of the funds that accrue to political office holders in Igboland are unaccounted for. A few days ago, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia state governor bought 17 brand new Toyota jeeps valued at over 50 million naira per unit for the LGA chairmen in the state.

Yet this is a governor in a state where tens of thousands of families go to bed each night hungry owing to non-payment of salaries.

Talking about LGAs in Igboland, are you aware that every LGA in Igboland is paid over 100 million naira on the average every month. Where does this money go to considering that grasses have taken over the secretariat of several LGAs? Do we need the Emir of Kano to tell the Chairman of Umunneochi to clear the bush around his office?

You may also be aware that for several years, the contract for the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway was given to Mr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and his engineering firm. How much of the funds allocated for that project did Mr Iwuanyanwu channel to improving the state of the road? Ditto for several other roads that Igbo contractors are asked to rehabilitate or build.

So why would anyone overlook the criminal insensitivity of the political leadership in Igboland? Why do we have to go to Sokoto and Kano to find scapegoats for our home-grown leadership problems?

Kanu would often counter by telling you that elections in Igboland are rigged in favour of Hausa-Fulani candidates. He believes that when we get Biafra, we will wean off the influence of the Northern Oligarchs from our system.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. Rochas Okorocha was elected by popular votes in 2011. I saw how the average Imo man/woman was prepared to do anything and everything to remove Ohakim and bring in Okorocha. He won because he presented himself as a better man, how could anyone have known at the time that he was a fraudulent character?

Other horrible governors in Igbo land were enthroned by local godfathers who have no roots in Sokoto- (Okezie Ikpeazu was imposed by Theodore Orji. Chinweoke Mbadinuju was imposed by Mr Emeka Offor. Chimaroke Nnamani was sponsored by Mr Jim Nwobodo and family. Ikedi Ohakim was sponsored by Orji Kalu and Maurice Iwu, Theodore Orji himself was imposed by Orji Kalu).

I have made several efforts to find out one single governor that got the approval of the Kano Emirate Council before he was presented as our governor. There has been no success in that regard.

A part of me had believed that Mr Kanu was being sponsored by Igbo politicians to promote the Hausa-Fulani fib as a way of taking attention away from their criminal activities. I still hold that conviction.
Since mid-September last year, no one has or heard from Kanu. He was believed to have been detained or killed by Nigerian soldiers acting on the instructions of Mr Buhari.

His sighting on Friday, 19th October 2018 and subsequent broadcast yesterday confirmed that he is very much alive and kicking. Most importantly, that he was never in detention.

So how did Kanu reward us for looking out for him and holding the Buhari government accountable for his disappearance?

With the usual arrogance and outlook of a man with an over-inflated sense of self-importance. Kanu threatened to return to our land very soon and will in his word, “bring hell with him.”

This man has lost it and we must now do to him what we do to idols that outlive their usefulness- “burn him” and I mean it. Kanu’s broadcast yesterday gave us a new enemy to watch out and we must be prepared to do the needful to preserve the peace of our land.

Kanu paid tribute to his dog “Jack” but could not pay any respect to the more than 50 people he deceived to die for nothing last year. Kanu values the lives of our youths less than that of a common dog- Nwa Nkita. I have alerted all those who still believe in Kanu and his IPOB to take me off their friends’ list on social media and I mean it.

Over 1, 000 youths have been killed by security agents acting on Mr Buhari’s instructions since Kanu came into the scene in 2015. Does IPOB have a database of their slain members? How are the families of these youths compensated?

We must be vigilant here. Through Mr Ralph Uwazurike and his MASSOB, we lost more than 20, 000 youths who were also murdered by security agencies in the name of fighting for Biafra between 2000 and 2010? Uwazurike meanwhile has continued to live large, building hotels and acquiring properties everywhere.

I will commit everything at my disposal to countering Mr Kanu and his delusions in the days ahead. We cannot continue to sacrifice the lives of our youths or business concerns on the altar of one man’s ego. It would be foolish if anyone still believes Kanu is fighting for Biafra.

What is Kanu’s blueprint for the actualization of Biafra? Where is his template for the economic survival of Biafra if actualized today? Where is his leadership model? What policy proposal has Kanu modelled for his fancied Biafra?

Biafra was a point of last resort in 1967. It was not the first option on the table. It also should not be this time. We must find intelligent ways of engaging the Nigerian establishment to advance our welfare within a reformed Nigeria.

Right now, the message must be loud and clear: we will vote in 2019 and we will vote massively for candidates who will reverse the decay and neglect of our land. Kanu should take his message of “hell” to hell.