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Enugu 2023: Obimo community unites for Gov. Ugwuanyi, PDP
…says Ugwuanyi has done well, PDP is their ‘DNA’
The people of Obimo/Ikwoka Ward in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, comprising prominent political leaders, traditional rulers and opinion molders have assured the state governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District in the forthcoming general election, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, of their maximum solidarity and support.
They described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a good man and jinx breaker who gave them a sense of belonging through political appointments and his administration’s rural development policy that enabled every community in the state to execute developmental projects of their choice.
They pointed out that the governor has delivered signature projects that will stand the test of time and outlive his administration for many decades. Some of the laudable projects according to them include the construction of the Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway, T-junction Flyover Bridge, Nike Lake Road, Enugu and the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo-Eno, Enugu State. They reassured the governor of their unalloyed support in making sure that he represents Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly come 2023.
The people also declared their support for the PDP and all other candidates of the party in the state including the governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, his running mate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, the party’s candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engr. Vita Abba and the candidate for Nsukka West Constituency, Hon. Amos Amadi Agbo.
They thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for the recent appointment of their illustrious son, Dr. Reuben Onyishi as his Special Adviser, stating that such political consideration had never happened since the creation of their community.
Led by their prominent leaders to the Government House, Enugu, on a solidarity visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi, yesterday, the people of Obimo/Ikwoka Ward disclosed unreservedly that the PDP is their ‘DNA’, stressing that they don’t know of any other party except the PDP.
The prominent leaders on the visit include the National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Selina Ugwoke Adibua, the Special Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Onyishi, former Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Hon. Joseph Ugwoke, the Traditional Ruler of Eziani Autonomous Community, HRH, Igwe Tony Ezenma, the State Treasurer of the PDP, Hon. Obiora Ugwuoke, the PDP Ward Chairman, Barr. Ozo Ejike Okpe, and Dr. Emeka Dike.
Others are the Provost Enugu State College of Education, Technical, Dr. Hyacinth Eze, the Programme Manager, ENADEP, Dr. Sam Ogbonna Onyeisi, Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Kenneth Ibuchukwu Nwodo, the PDP Ex-Officio, Nsukka LGA, Hon. Ugonna Ogbuanya, Mr. Godwin Ugwoke of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), etc.
Presenting their position, the PDP Chairman of Obimo/Ikwoka Ward, Ozo Okpe told Gov. Ugwuanyi that “we have enjoyed the dividends of democracy under your administration,” adding: “Since you assumed office, you have been good to our people and we have never had an opportunity to say thank you.
“On that note, we are here to assure you that you are going to represent us in the Senate come 2023. Look at the number and quality of people here. The people here are our gate keepers, influencers and opinion molders.”
In his supporting speech, the Traditional Ruler of Eziani Autonomous Community, Igwe Ezenma, described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a good man, a prayerful Catholic and God fearing leader, maintaining that the governor has done well “based on my assessment.”
Continuing, the monarch said: “Anybody that has said that you have not done well in Enugu State is saying that on a personal envious and selfish interest. That is the simple truth.”
Igwe Ezenma commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for entrenching enduring peace and security in Enugu State and tolerating his detractors in the face of provocations.
According to him: “In the past (before your administration), I have been shot three good times on critical occasions and I survived them by God’s grace. So, if not for your personal efforts on security, nobody will ever come out by 9pm in the state.
“But I can tell you now that you can go out anytime you want without fear. This your regime gave us peace and security.
“Everywhere is calm because you tolerate people so much. Your Excellency, you have done well, let me make it very clear here.”
The monarch on behalf of the people of Obimo/Ikwoka Ward expressed gratitude to the governor for the emergence of Engr. Abba as PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, saying: “You have made Nsukka proud by giving us Onwa (Abba). So, you have favoured us. It is time for us to favour you.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, you are a good man. I pray that your heart desires will be granted in the favour of we human beings in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Speaking in a delightful mood, the new Special Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Onyishi, spoke in the same vein, stressing that “it is only a blind person” that will not appreciate the good works of the governor in Enugu State in spite of the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges.
His words: “I laugh at those who question the leadership of Gov. Ugwuanyi because the Nsukka environment and beyond can attest to the good works the governor has done. We have up to three new universities brought to us by His Excellency.
“My question still remains, are those people blind? Has there been any stadium in Nsukka before now? I heard on the radio that Enugu State is next to Abuja when it comes to primary healthcare policy and implementation.
“Statistics have it that Enugu State is on top in the ease of doing business. Gov. Ugwuanyi created the environment.
“Your Excellency, Obimo belongs to the PDP. We have no other party. We have felt your impact and I am sure we will continue to enjoy your good works in Enugu when you must have left the office as the governor of our state.
“But for me and my people, we will follow you to anywhere you are going because right from the day of creation we have never been favoured in governance the way you favoured us.
“Your Excellency, you are our comforter and our panacea. You have tried for us but you know that human wants are insatiable. Note that our DNA and the blood that flows in our body is PDP and Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi).”
Other speakers at the event, namely, the PDP State Treasurer, Hon. Ugwuoke, Dr. Emeka Dike and the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Privatisation and Commercialisation, Hon. Barr. Foster Aniebonam Ugwoke, expressed gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for changing the political narrative of their area by entrenching peace, good governance and empowerment, reiterating the commitment of their people to work in unison to deliver the governor and other candidates of the PDP in 2023.
The PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engr. Abba, the Chairman, Nsukka LGA, Barr. Walter Ozioko, the PDP Chairman, Nsukka LGA, Rt. Hon. Fabian Onah and the party’s candidate for Nsukka West Constituency, Hon. Agbo witnessed the event.
The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has strongly criticized the National Assembly for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, accusing both chambers of aiding in the desecration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Caucus meeting, held at the residence of former leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State, Afenifere stated that members of the National Assembly have demonstrated a lack of courage in defending the democratic rights of Nigerians.
The communiqué, signed by Afenifere Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Prince Justice Faloye, described the President’s action and the National Assembly’s endorsement as “an ill-wind that blows the nation no good and a spit in the face of Nigerians.”
Afenifere called on the leadership of the National Assembly to step down in the interest of integrity, decency, and respect for the principle of separation of powers, which it described as the foundation of democracy.
“Contrary to the expectations of Nigerians but in a manner consistent with its proven character, the 10th Assembly in both chambers not only joined hands with the President in further desecrating the already tenuous 1999 Constitution but also demonstrated a lack of courage to defend the democratic rights of the people,” the communiqué read.
It further criticized the use of a voice vote to approve the emergency rule, arguing that such a procedure obscured constitutional requirements for a two-thirds majority vote in matters of national significance.
“The resort to a voice vote, thereby avoiding compliance with constitutional provisions, is a clear attempt to obscure the required legislative plebiscite on such a matter of monumental national importance. The President’s unilateral reversal of the electoral decision of the people of Rivers State is an affront to democracy and spits on the faces of Nigerians,” Afenifere stated.
Afenifere warned that the increasing concentration of power in the executive arm of government posed a serious threat to democracy, likening the situation to the way Adolf Hitler hijacked German democracy.
“By these very acts, a new gambit has emerged—a crisis of Nigerian constitutionalism—where both the horizontal principle of separation of powers and the vertical principles of federalism are being undemocratically usurped by an all-powerful executive that believes it can do whatever it wants,” the communiqué added.
The group also dismissed the recent vote of confidence passed on Senate President Godswill Akpabio by his colleagues, stating that it was an admission of a crisis of confidence within the Senate itself.
Afenifere urged all Nigerians to rise in defense of democracy and the rule of law, warning that failure to act could lead to the destruction of the country’s hard-won democratic system.
“We call on all people of goodwill to take legitimate action to restore the rule of law, ensure best democratic practices, and save Nigerian democracy. We must nip this in the bud before our democracy is completely eroded,” the communiqué concluded.
The Organised Labour has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it may be forced to take decisive action that could disrupt national economic activities if the proclamation is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe.
The threat was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor; State Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ikechukwu Onyefuru; and Chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Chuku Emecheta.
The labour unions raised concerns about the legality, economic impact, and consequences of the federal government’s actions.
The Organised Labour described the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara; deputy governor, Ngozi Odu; and House of Assembly members as premature and baseless.
According to the union leaders, the people of Rivers State freely elected these officials, and any attempt to remove them outside constitutional processes undermines democracy.
They insisted that such actions must be reversed to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system.
They highlighted the immediate hardship the state of emergency has caused for local government workers, many of whom have yet to receive their salaries.
The statement noted that withholding workers’ wages has exposed them to avoidable economic suffering, particularly at a time when the cost of living is already high.
The Organised Labour warned that the state of emergency could have devastating economic consequences, emphasising Rivers State’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy and the Niger Delta region.
It said with the nation already grappling with inflation, naira devaluation, high exchange rates, rising unemployment, and skyrocketing living costs, further instability in Rivers State could worsen the situation nationwide.
The statement also pointed out that the political uncertainty caused by the state of emergency has driven away potential investors who had expressed interest in the state’s economic initiative.
This loss of investment, according to labour leaders, is damaging the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and will have long-term consequences for economic development and employment opportunities in the region.
While acknowledging the need for maintaining law and order, the Organized Labour stressed that such actions must be carried out within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution.
The unions argued that suspending elected officials and allegedly disrupting salary payments for workers violate fundamental rights and could worsen security and economic challenges.
They urged the Federal Government to prioritise the safety and welfare of citizens over political interests, warning that any governance approach that sacrifices workers’ well-being for political maneuvers would only heighten tensions and resistance.
The statement called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the judiciary to take immediate steps to reverse the state of emergency and reinstate the suspended elected officials.
In a bid to resolve the situation peacefully, the unions advised the federal government to engage in meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
They warned that a failure to do so could lead to further escalation of the crisis, worsening the already tense political atmosphere in the state.
While calling on workers to remain calm and continue their duties, the Organised Labour leaders warned that they would not hesitate to take strategic union actions if their demands were not met within a reasonable timeframe.
Such actions, they emphasised, could have significant consequences for national economic activities. (Channels TV)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the petition submitted for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan fell short of some requirements.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said this in a statement issued on Thursday, 25th March, 2025.
Olumekun said the commission would take the necessary steps in line with laid down provisions if the petitioners completes the process in the appropriate manner.
“The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.”
“The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.
“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.
“The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. The address given is “Okene, Kogi State”, which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.
“The Commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them. Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters that signed the petition only. The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the Commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines. In the absence of a definite contact address, the Commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.”
The Commission reassured the public that it would be guided by the legal framework for recall.
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