Deputy Senate Presidency must go to South East.- Orji Kalu

Former Governor of Abia and Senator-elect, Abia North Senatorial district, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position of Deputy Senate President to the South-East in the interest of equity and justice.

Dr Kalu made the call on Wednesday while speaking with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The former governor, while indicating interest to vie for the position of Deputy Senate President, revealed that he enjoy the support of 56 Senators to contest the Senate Presidency, should the party fail to do heed to his call.

Kalu noted that he was aware that the APC, which had the majority in the Senate, had zoned the Senate President position to the North-East and the Deputy Senate President to the North-West.

He said: “I am a very loyal party man. The party has zoned the senate presidency position to the North-East and I want to respect the party’s will but the second position is what we are not going to allow to leave the South-East.

“So, as far as I am concerned, in the South-East, I am going to run openly on the floor of the House for the position of Deputy Senate President.

“I am not going to listen to the party neither will I listen to anybody. Nobody that wants to be the Deputy Senate President is more loyal than I am to the party.

“I have suffered for the party and have been called by Nigerians to come out. I want the party to respect the will of every other person and I am committed to democracy and contesting on the floor of the House.”

According to him, Article 50 of the Constitution and Article One of the constitution make it clear that the members of the National Assembly in-House can elect their principal officers.

He said it was only fair that the position was retained in the South-East, stressing that both President Muhammadu Buhari and APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, were well aware of this.

“So, if justice must prevail, you have to bring the Senate President from the North-East and you bring the Deputy Senate President to the South-East.

“The chairman of the party is from South-South. The President is from North-West. The Vice-President is from South-West and also the Senate President will come from North-East.

“Whether it is Senators Ahmed Lawal or Alli Ndume, this will be decided on the floor of the House.

“So, for me, the tripod in Nigeria is Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa and we are going to get the deputy senate president and I will fight on the floor of the House like no other person has fought.

“That is not challenging the party but this is about looking for justice. Buhari said recently after the elections that he will be addressing issues of injustice and this is part of the issue,” Kalu said.

The business magnate further maintained that he was qualified for the position having being a former member of the Federal House of Representatives from 1991 to 1993 and also a two-time governor.

“I know the nook and crannies of how legislators operate. I have dealt with them and I am not a new comer. So, it is going to be impossible to edge me out or edge a whole zone out by claiming we are new comers.

“What I am fighting for is justice, fair play and for Nigeria to continue to be one. I have suffered in fighting for the unity of the country. They cannot use National Assembly or petty House officers to divide the country.

“I have sweated. All my investments are in the North, in the West and the South and we must protect these things and leave in peace,” he said.

Speaking further, Dr. Kalu said, “I have the capacity for lobbying. I am well known in East, West and North. If the party continues this way, I will run for the Senate President if justice is not done to say South-East bring the Deputy Senate President..

“I can assure you that there are over 56 Senators in my kitty now for either the Senate President or the Deputy Senate President that have already signed to what I believe in.

“It is only just to unveil it on the floor of the House.”

Tribunal Declares Ademola Adeleke Of The PDP Winner Of Osun Governorship Election

The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has declared Ademola Adeleke as winner of the September 2018 election in the state.

The 3-man tribunal upheld the the petitions filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke and the PDP, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the September 2018 governorship election.

The tribunal had earlier declared the objections of the APC. It said Adeleke’s petition has merit. The tribunal also declared the rerun election as illegal.

NAN reports that the PDP and Adeleke, had filed a petition asking the tribunal to declare that he polled the highest lawful votes and should be declared the winner.

But Oyetola, APC and INEC had filed their notices of preliminary objection contending among others that the petition was incompetent and that the court lacked jurisdiction.

A three -member panel of the tribunal , dismissed the objections filed by Gov. Oyetola, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Both Adeleke and the PDP in their different petitions had urged the tribunal to declare that he scored the highest lawful votes in the election and should be declared as winner.

However, Oyetola, APC and INEC filed their notices of preliminary objection against the petition on the grounds that the petition is incompetent adding that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the petition.

Delivering the‎ lead ruling of the three-man tribunal, Chairman Ibrahim Sirajo, held that the objections were misconceived and struck them out.

The Tribunal held that the CTC should and must be an exact replica of the EC8A pink copies.

The discrepancies must therefore be explained and justified by INEC.

In this instance, the tribunal held, INEC failed to explain nor justify the alterations and that they failed to call any witness to justify the alterations.

The tribunal held that the attempt to explain the alterations on the basis of mere corrections of errors is not acceptable and the fact that the said errors were consistently made in the disputed areas means it was a deliberate action taken.

However the court is yet to deliver its judgment on the main suit

Source: NAN

IKPEAZU DID NOT AND CAN NEVER PAY ME ANY MONEY TO ABANDON MY Mandate – Dr Uche Ogah

Contrary to insinuations that the Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has paid him some money as settlement to jettison legal action against him (the governor), the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Uche Ogah has dispelled the rumour, saying he is priceless and cannot be bought.

In a press release on Friday, Ogah said what took place on 9th March 2019 in the state was not an election but a charade, insisting that it was marred by what he called unimaginable irregularities.

He said his party, the APC has the final say on whether or not to challenge Ikpeazu’s victory in court, expressing optimism that he will get justice.

Read full release below;

21st March, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

DR OKEZIE IKPEAZU DID NOT AND CAN NEVER PAY ME ANY MONEY TO ABANDON MY MANDATE

My attention has been drawn to news making the round that the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has paid me some money as part of a post-election settlement deal so that I can jettison plans to file a suit against him at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. This is not tue.

I have also heard that the Governor has said in various fora that I was the singular reason he has not performed well in his about-to-end-first-term. This, according to him, was due to the pre-election suit I instituted against him between 2015 and 2017 which challenged his eligibility to be candidate of the PDP for the Abia State governorship election in 2015. It may be recalled that when we followed up the matter to the Supreme Court and the Court entered judgment for him, we congratulated him. We also put that episode behind us and moved on.

In 2019, I stood election as the governorship candidate of the APC. It is general knowledge that what happened on 9th March 2019 was no election. It was rather a charade. The so called election in Abia state was marred with unimaginable irregularities. We have since rejected the results and have called for the cancellation of same or at best, for it to be declared inconclusive as was done in other places. Instead, INEC chose to ignore us for reasons that have long emerged after the unfortunate manipulation of the results.

Consequently, I have continued to consult stakeholders on the next line of action. If for any reason I decide not to go to the tribunal, it is not because I had been given money. I am priceless. I can never be bought. I never came into politics because I am poor or that I want to make money. I am only motivated by my vision for the state and my interest to develop and move it away from stagnancy and reposition the state for a greater future. Going to the tribunal will not entirely be my decision alone. If I do not file a petition as a candidate, our party must.
There is, however, little or nothing I can do if my party, the APC, decides to approach the Tribunal and seek redress that will return victory to us. I am a party man and will respect any party decision in this regard.

I want to reiterate my love for Abia state. Our beloved State deserves the best. If we become like our neighbour-states that are speedily progressing in very many facets of governance indices, it won’t be a bad idea. One is surprised that the blames for these leadership failures in our state could be heaped on me. My resort to courts for redress signifies my love for the rule of law and due process. I am not like those that trample on the rights of Abians via bad leadership and mindless looting of our common patrimony in the state; I rather, represent a leadership that seeks to hearken to their urgent call for better service and development of our State.
Our journey may be delayed but it must surely materialize. We are not losing hope. God will keep His promise that Abia will be free and under our leadership.

Based on the foregoing, it is evident that Dr Ikpeazu has not offered or given me any dime to look the other way and allow him pillage our state or usurp my victory. Even though we can undoubtedly make sacrifices for our God’s own state if and when there is need to, no one should take advantage of that. Our disposition for peace is never a sign of weakness or taken as a lack of courage. No one individual is greater than Abia State.

We urge our teeming supporters to remain calm and not be discouraged. They should disregard the fake news being dished out against my person simply to dampen their spirit or kill their resolve to stand by light over darkness. Those who never wished us well believe they will achieve this through misinformation and character assassination. May we be guided by the promises of our ever loving God in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong” and Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you”.

Dr Uche Sampson Ogah, OON
2019 Abia State APC Governorship Candidate

Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, makes statement on alleged kidnapping, electoral offences

The Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa and two of his security aides have made statements on caution to Abia state CID on alleged electoral offences brought against them by the state police command.

He was said to have arrived the State CID at about 3.30.p.m on Wednesday to honour police invitation for the alleged kidnapping, rigging and destruction of result sheets during the National Assembly elections.

According to a reliable source, the case allegedly involved Dr. Ibe and INEC official, who was being detained in police custody, was arrested for alleged result falsification, thumb printing and other related electoral fraud. Ibe in a written confessional statement admitted to have committed the offence on an alleged instruction of Ohuabunwa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The source further revealed that Ibe allegedly tore a result sheet which the candidate in which the APC was leading. A DPO and Inspector that were also invited for interrogation over the alleged electoral crime had already made useful statement to the police.

NYSC members who were also arrested by the police while thumb-printing in the bush had also written confessional statements that they were kidnapped and forced to carry out the alleged offence under the forceful instruction of the PDP Senator. According to the corps members, they were kidnapped because they refused to comprise to rewrite results in favour of the PDP candidate which prompted the PDP thugs to tear an original result which the APC was leading.

Also, two security aides to the Senator, Inspector Michael Antai and Sgt. Okwudiri Ndukauba have alleged that the Senator ordered them to snatch ballot boxes in the recently concluded National Assembly election in the state. They were allegedly identified by a youth corps member who worked as INEC ad-hoc staff in the area during the election.

The two police officers are currently in detention on the order of the Commissioner of Police Abia state Command.

©ABN

The PDP Politics of Hate and Division on whose interest? By Uche Aguoru

It has become very alarming the way hate and divisive messaging have become part of PDP’s political slogan instead of performance and prudent account of service having been in charge of the state government for a long period of time.

It beats my imagination how a political party that hosts people from all ethnic regions within our geographical space will indulge in hate speech, ethnic partitioning and threats in order to gain forced electoral result, one would expect that the people’s democratic party having been incharge of the administration of the state will engage in issue based campaigning by reeling out what the administration has achieved within the period they have been in power rather than their present attempt at pitching Abians against each other in the name of ethnic power rotation and turn by turn governance.

While no body is against the Ngwa governorship agenda, but the overall development of the state and its citizenry should be paramount, Abians are warm and hospitable, the Ngwa’s are very beautiful and intelligent people, Abians have marital, social, political and business relationships across political parties and ethnic regions of old Bende and Ukwa/Ngwa.

I must say it’s very disappointing that even the elites, opinion moulders, political leaders and influencers from the PDP and Ukwa/Ngwa zone who are expected to live above board on issues relating to ethnic bigotry have been coerced into the devilish tendencies of preaching hate as against unity and love.

Why it is very important to allow the electorates exercise their civic rights of choosing and voting for their preferred leader, is that any government achieved through divisive preaching, hate sermon and threats is equal to a military coup and cannot serve development and unity, what is expected of any reasonable government is to deliver development across all sectors and that can only be achieved through healthy politicking and inclusive governance.

We should not out of our own selfish political reasons set the state on fire, we should remember that there is life after 9th of march 2019, we should remember that the government house in Umuahia is not meant for any particular ethnic group, individual or political party, lets show love to each other, let’s play politics devoid of hate, let’s not destroy our long built relationships because we want to achieve political power.

9th of march will come and go Abia will remain, 9th of march will come and go APC, PDP, APGA will all continue to exist, lets attend to the coming elections in the spirit of sportsmanship and place Abia above our ambitions, lets preach unity rather than division, lets fight against those things that divide us rather than fire it all up in the name of ethnic politics, let’s all know that without the Ukwa/Ngwa there will be no Abia, without the old Bende Abia as a state won’t exist.

In the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Rather than kill each other let’s all work towards achieving an Abia where all and sundry will be proud to call our state.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

PERSECUTION OF THE PRESS: A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY – BY Ifeanyi Okali

That the media has for a long time been the target of a pre-planned and orchestrated attack in our society is no more news. Right from the time of the courageous and fearless Dele Giwa the life and freedom of media practitioners has been a pawn in the chessboard of highly influential members of the society whose ego are bruised.

What is however news is the intensity at which this dangerous omen is being perpetrated and given an ostentatious life even in a society that has constantly thumbed it chest as the champion of free speech, liberty of the press and a democratic state. Our country has been on the fast lane in setting a very dangerous and disturbing precedence with its fixation to rape, undermine and make mockery of the global charter of human right to speak and be heard. Thomas Jefferson succinctly captured the critical importance of the press when he declared: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter”.

Since the return of democracy in Nigeria, the press as the fourth estate of the realm has played its role with all commitment of being an information dissemination agency to our people, bringing the activities and policies of the government to the knowledge of our people to guide and aid their decision-making, bringing to the notice of government what the yearnings and aspirations of the people are, their developmental challenges, issues that border on their security and welfare.

In other parts of the world, the press is respected and commended for the role it plays in oiling the wheel of democracy. They are not treated with contempt, levity and disdain. In Nigeria, there a multi-faceted attack on the media the either muzzle it and whittle down its role of watchdog or even totally fizzle it out of existence. Where other presses receive commendation, Nigerian press receives condemnation, where others receive applause, ours receive knock and vilification.

Whatever external attack that today threatens to cripple the press in Nigeria is in addition to attack on the sense of human dignity against practitioners. Today, some journalists are being owed backlog of salaries, some as much as 6 months, 9 months, 1 year and above. Do these men of the fourth estate not have children, wives, relatives and dependents to carter for? Their senses of human dignity has do much been attacked in the sense that they become easy preys to arm twisting and hatchet activities.

The unwarranted abduction and incarceration of journalists has so much become part of dividends of democracy the Nigerian populace are regaled with. Between 2015 and now, the onslaught has been so visibly disturbing that pressmen have become endangered species that must be rooted out at all cost. Tony Ezimakor, the Abuja bureau chief of the Independent was detained by the SSS for about a week in February 2018 without charges on allegations bordering on his article about Chibok girls.

The police descended on Musa Kirshi, the Daily Trust’s correspondent , on March 13, on the National Assembly premises. His offence was that he facilitated an advert publication in that newspaper, which allegedly offended the interests of Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State. Major newspapers, including The Punch, The Nation, ThisDay , Tribune and Vanguard, were arbitrarily barred from covering President Muhammadu Buhari’ s belated condolence visit to Benue State on March 12, 2018. In January 2017, Nigerian Army operatives stormed the Premium Times and arrested the publisher of the online newspaper, Dapo Olorunyomi, and the judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu. The list of similar attacks by overzealous state agents and their paymasters in just endless. The case of Jones Abiri who stayed in DSS underground cell for two years without trial is still fresh in our memory.

Just last week, another journalist, Obinna Don Norman, the publisher Realm News was abducted in a gestapo style by men of the Nigerian police in Umuahia after a radio programme on Flo FM. Authorities in the state have been fingered on his persecution as a result of his fall out with his former boss and the former governor of Abia state, Sen. T.A Orji.

Whatever the reasons are, this crackdown on the media is increasingly making it difficult for people to be journalists in Nigeria. More vexatious and provocative, the reasons for these attacks, where available is usually on a flimzy ground. There is no justification for these draconian measures by the security agents. Without a free press, democracy is doomed.

It is heart warming to note that some notable individuals and organizations are beginning to show concerns on the plight of journalists and the media generally in Nigeria. Just recently, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) dragged the Federal Government and state governments to ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over “the frequent and repressive application of the Cybercrime Act to harass, intimidate, arbitrarily arrest, detain, and unfairly prosecute anyone found publishing views or facts perceived to be critical of the government at the federal and state levels and government officials.”

Muzzling the press is a one – way street to dictatorship and those who encourage such should be made to face the law . The media , through the Nigeria Union of Journalists , the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (OMPAN) should unite against repression of journalists by the security agencies . They should institute court actions anytime these bullies obstruct media operations.

Ifeanyi Okali.
Editor In Chief/Publisher OMPAN
Editor In Chief/Publisher ABN TV