₦airaland Forum

Woman 43 years ago was beaten by an angry lion in Nekede Zoo, Imo State.
Abia Breaking News gathered that she went to the zoo with her kids for site seeing , unfortunately she was attacked by the lion. We learnt that the lion did not touch her kids.

She was rushed to FCM Owerri.
According to our source who witnessed the tragedy condemned the poor inadequate health care of all the federal and state health centers, including that of Federal Medical centre Owerri which was paralyzed, due to on going strike geared towards many months of unpaid salary,she was now rushed to their sister hospital Federal Medical Center Umuahia were she is now on treatment....http://www.abnews247.com/tragedy-woman-43-narrowly-escaped-death-by-an-angry-lion-in-imo-zoo/

By Chuks Omesie

First of all, let me use this medium to condemn the killing of two innocent Isiala Ngwa Local Government Workers, who were burnt like Christmas Goat without committing any offence. The security Agencies should investigate the cause of their deaths and bring the Perpetrators to Justice. There is no Political position that is worth the shedding of innocent Blood. If the present leadership of PDP, Abia State values the lives and Properties of Abians, let the duo who contested in the primaries that took two innocent lives be stepped down and fresh primary be conducted for a fresh candidate to emerge, just for a brief atonement of the innocent bloods which were shed.

Ndi Ngwa, can you people now understand that Okezie Ikpeazu is not the right person among you to be the Governor of Abia State? Can you see that Ikpeazu’s action has proven that he does not regard you people or value you, but each time any of his sins wants to remove him from the Office, you people will start clamouring, as if you are benefitting anything from him.

If Okezie is the right person from Ngwa dynasty to be the Governor of Abia State, he wouldn’t have remained silent when two indigenes of..[Read More]...http://www.abnews247.com/reasons-why-ikpeazu-is-not-the-rightful-person-from-ngwa-dynasty-to-govern-abia-chuks-omesie/

APGA Abia State Releases Names of (SUCCESSFUL) Candidates of the LGA Chairmanship Primaries

________________
1. Isuikwuato – Ukabia Cyril Okemiri

2. Aba South – Nwanyanwu Charles O.

3. Umunneochi – AGU Samuel Ekeoma

4. Umuahia North – Nwokonta Stephen Ibe

5. Isialangwa South – Okeri Irechukwu Christian

6. Obingwa – Chigozie Onyeukwu Ubani

7. Aba North – Ogbonna Vincent Chimezie

8. Bende – Chukwu Ngozi Chukwu

9. Ukwa East – Nwagbara Goodhope

10. Ukwa West – NWANKWO Ikechukwu Kelechi

11. Umuahia South – Nkemakolam Ogenna

12. Isialangwa North – Njoku Alozie Augustine

13. Ohafia – Emeri Emeri Idika

14. Ikwuano – Don Awazie

15. Arochukwu – Kalu Kalu Ulu

16. Osisioma – Denis Emeka Ubani

17. Ugwunagbo – Ihesiaba Nosike...http://www.abnews247.com/apga-abia-state-releases-names-of-successful-candidates-of-the-lga-chairmanship-primaries/

Nigeria consolidated their leadership of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group after they beat Algeria 3-1 in Uyo today.

They have now recorded six points from two matches, while Cameroon are second on two points after they forced Zambia to a 1-1 draw at home.

Zambia are third on a point ahead of Algeria, who also have a point.

The qualifying tournament will resume in August 2017 with Nigeria hosting Cameroon and Zambia at home to Algeria.

After a rather shaky start, the home team took the game to their opponents and they were rewarded after 25 minutes, when the lively Victor Moses was released by his fellow Chelsea mate Mikel Obi to fire past Algeria goalkeeper M’Bolhi.

He certainly made up for his big miss in the seventh minute.

The Super Eagles doubled their lead three minutes from the interval when Mikel controlled the ball on top of the box and after a moment of hesitation rolled the ball beyond the Algerian shot stopper.

However, Algeria pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, when Nabil Bentaleb smashed home an unstoppable scorcher from distance.

Man of the match Victor Moses will then put the game beyond the North Africans in stoppage time, when he fired home off a low cross by substitute Ahmed Musa.

The outcome of this game would probably have been a lot different had the visitors made the most of two clear-cut chances in the first half.

First, Nabil Bentaleb threw away a sitter from inside the Nigeria box when the easier thing was for him to score after 36 minutes.

And minutes later, Riyad Mahrez came close to getting on the score sheet, but his shot from inside the box missed the target narrowly with the Nigeria defence at his mercy.

When Algeria pulled a goal back they pegged their hosts in their own half of the pitch with the dangerous Yacine Brahimi tormenting the Eagles defence and Riyad Mahrez in full charge of the....http://www.abnews247.com/nigeria-stay-top-of-world-cup-qualifying-group-after-big-win-over-algeria/

12-11-2016 Nigeria vs Algeria match:
* Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Algeria
* The arena is the superb edifice called the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo
* Home team Nigeria hope to extend their winning run under new coach Gernot Rohr, who has won his first two games against Tanzania and Zambia
* Algeria, on the other hand, need a result today if they are to revive their hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018 after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cameroon last month
* Since that draw in Blida, Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac has been replaced by the Belgian Georges Leekens
* The last time both teams clashed was in January 2010 in a third-placed match at the 2010 AFCON with Nigeria running away 1-0 winners
* Algeria have been hit by a spate of injuries with the Desert Foxes prepared to risk Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam, who has been nursing a groin injury
* Nigeria’s major injury casualty is first-choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, whose place today will be taken by Chippa United of South Africa ace Daniel Akpeyi
Daniel Akpeyi – Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong – Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi – Oghenekaro Etebo, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi – Kelechi Iheanacho
Eagles starting XI vs Algeria (4-2-3-1)
* Nigeria have made four changes to the starting XI from last month’s World Cup qualifier with Brown Ideye, Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon dumped to the bench.
* As widely expected, Leon Balogun, Oghenekaro Etebo and Victor Moses all make the first XI after injury kept them out last month.
* Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo will begin at the problematic right back after he played in the heart of the defence in Ndola.
* In the other group game being played today, Zambia are leading 1-0 in Cameroon courtesy of a 34th minute goal by Collins Mbesuma. it’s his second goal of the series
M’Bolhi – Ziti, Ghoulam, Belkaroui, Mandi – Medjani (captain), Taider, Bentaleb – Mahrez, Brahimi, Slimani
Algeria starting XI (4-3-3):
* In first half stoppage time, Cameroon draw level from the penalty spot through Vincent Aboubakar, who sent goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene the wrong way. HALFTIME: Cameroon 1 Zambia 1
* Pre-match formalities Nigeria vs Algeria now, national anthems and the stadium is full of voice. It’s a big crowd
* Home team in all-green with white trimmings, Algeria all-white with green trimmings
* Gambian referee Papa Bakary Gassama will be in charge, he has been CAF Best referee for the past two years, so we should expect a good handling of this showdown.
1 – Away we go! Algeria kick off
2 – The tackles are already flying,Mikel is brought down just outside his own penalty box
4 – Offside against Algeria, Nigeria have been struggling to get out of their own half of the pitch so far
6 – After a shaky start, Nigeria are gradually settling into their groove with the massive crowd cheering
7 – Victor Moses comes close to opening goal, but his final shot is off target after he dashed into the box
9 – Nigeria are now keeping possession better
10 – Algeria’s Islam Slimani has already been dishing out some of the rough stuff
11 – Troost-Ekong of Nigeria is caught offside as Nigeria attack again
14 – Algeria have been pressing Nigeria from the front and getting the Eagles defence to comit some unnecessary mistakes
18 – It remains Nigeria 0 Algeria 0
22 – The game has opened up and both sides are going at each other now, Akpeyi punches out of danger a dangerous cross by Brahimi
24 – The tempo of this game has eased off now
25 – GOAL! Victor Moses opens scoring for Nigeria
Mikel combined with his Chelsea matewho dashed into the box to fire home. But Victor Moses is later booked for removing his shirt in celebration of his goal
27 – Ziti of Algeria is booked for a foul on the lively Victor Moses
28 – Air shot by Mikel and then a hand ball on top of the Algeria box, free kick Algeria
30 – Iheanacho just fails to connect a fine cross by Victor Moses for what would have been a second goal for the flying Eagles. It was very, very close as the Algerian defence simply stood still
32 – Etebo shoots for goal, but it misses by much as the Eagles continue to pour forward
33 – A small misunderstanding in the Nigeria defence but it comes to nothing in the end
34 – The pitch, which coach gernot Rohr had praised as brand new, is cutting up
36 – BIG MISS by Nabil Bentaleb as he shoots over the Nigeria goal from right inside the box. That should have been the equaliser for Algeria…
38 – Almost immediately, Riyad Mahrez shoots for goal, but it is also off target to the relief of the home team
39 – Iheanacho dashes through the Algeria defence but his touch is too long for the goalkeeper to smother
40 – Skipper Mikel Obi has been in sparkling form for the Super Eagles
42 – GOAL! Nigeria score again and the scorer is Mikel, who rolled the ball home after a moment of hesitation. Television replays later showed the Eagles captain was put on side by a last Algeria defender
45 – A minute of additional time
45+1 – Nigeria gift Algeria a chance to pull a goal back but somehow the Algerian player smashes his effort from deep inside away from the target
46 – Nigeria restart the game
Meanwhile, The other group game between Cameroon and Zambia has ended 1-1 in Limbe. That’s a good result for Nigeria should they maintain their lead in this game
49 – Bentaleb is booked for a late tackle on Victor Moses outside the Algeria box
52 – Leon Balogun stops Mahrez from doing damage, the game is held up temporarily folowing injury to Ogenyi Onazi
55 – Algeria are now taking the game to their hosts, they need to score to get back in this game
56 – Algeria win a second corner
57 – Yacine Brahimi has been pepering the Nigeria defence from the left side with his pace and trickery as Algeria peg Nigeria in their own half
58 – Taider of Algeria shoots at Nigeria goal, but it is off the mark, but still a good effort
61 – Aissa Mandi is booked for a late foul on Victor Moses, who has remained so lively in this encounter
63 – The game is held up to attend to a head injury suffered by Omeruo in the Algeria penalty box
65 – Free kick Nigeria after Carl Medjani brings down Mikel around the Algeria box
66 – Nigeria change – Omeruo out, Shehu in
67 – GOAL! Algeria get a deserved goal through Bentaleb from about 25 metres. Akpeyi was well beaten. It is now game on..
70 – Nigeria caught offside, free kick to Algeria
71 – Algeria change – Abeid Mehdi in for Carl Medjani
73 – Algeria are shooting from distance as the North Africans pile on more pressure
75 – Nigeria change – Ahmed Musa in for Iwobi
76 -Bentaleb tries another shot from miles off but he does not hit target this time around
79 – This game is still delicately poised
80 – Algeria change – Ziti out, Sofiane Feghouli in
The North Africans have not surrendered, they have kept pushing for an equaliser
81 – Akpeyi tips a fangerous free kick for a corner bit nothing comes out of that set piece
82 – Nigeria change – Mikel out, Wilfred Ndidi in
84 – Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa caught offside
85 – It remains Nigeria 2 Algeria 1
86 – Etebo is brought down, free kick for Nigeria in a good position
87 – Ahmed Musa sneaks in but he fails to hit target, Nigeria now on the front foot
90 – It is full time, but there will be four minutes of additional time, just as Iheanacho comes close to extending Nigeria’s lead
90+1 – GOAL! Victor Moses scores from the near post
90+4 – Nigeria come close again, but miss a great chance
Game over! Nigeria win 3-1 to stay top of World Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, camroon are second on two points, Zambia third and Algeria bottom on a point each...[Read More]....http://www.abnews247.com/2018-world-cup-qualifier-nigeria-3-algeria-1-as-it-happened/

See list: Abia PDP Releases Names of (SUCCESSFUL) Candidates of the LGA Chairmanship Primaries[i][/i]


1. Aba North- Prince Stanley Okechukwu

2. Aba South- Emmanuel Emeruwa

3. Arochukwu- Kalu Kalu James

4. Bende- Gabriel Elendu

5. Ikwuano- Oji Ngozi E.

6. Isialangwa north- Ginger Onwusibe

7. Isialangwa south- Isikaku Ifeanyi

8. Isuikwuato- Udeze N Michael

9. Obingwa- Hon Amaechi Hanson

10. Ohafia- John Eke Njoku

11. osisioma- B I Mgbeahuru

12. Ugwunagbo- Eze Sam Nwanganga

13. Ukwa east – obiaele C.

14. Ukwa west- Goodluck o. Nwobiwe

15. Umuahia North- Chidiebere Nwachukwu

16. Umuahia South- Obioma Eze ogbulafor

17. Umunnochi- Okey Igwe
http://www.abnews247.com/abia-pdp-releases-names-of-successful-candidates-of-the-lga-chairmanship-primaries/

It was reported on Wednesday that the whole of Isiala Ngwa North LGA in Abia state was thrown into mourning during the PDP Chairmanship primaries election as Mr. Onyenmaechi Onyenro was burnt to death,Other staff of the LGA who were in the office as at the time of the attack also suffered severe burns with two of them, Mrs Amarachi Orioha and Ms. Florence Akwarandu severely burnt, and fighting for their life at the Federal Medical Center Umuahia were they were rushed to.

Today a shocking news filtered into ABN newsroom,that Mrs Amarachi Orioha is dead.

We gathered that She died leaving her husband and kids behind.
It was reported that she had 85% burn and she was moved to Enugu Specialist Hospital when she was not responding to treatment at Federal Medical Center Umuahia Abia State.

Meanwhile, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe is one of the PDP Chairmanship candidate of Isiala Ngwa North LGA, has come out to disassociate self from the violence that has consumed two lives as at this moment, still leaving one person badly burnt.

Hon. Ginger on thursday pointed accusing fingers at Eze Enweremadu’s family and his opponent Uzoma Ihuka as being behind the violence and the deaths...http://www.abnews247.com/sad-another-election-violent-victim-in-abia-is-dead/

The State Exco of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on Friday 11th November at the state Secretariat sacked the state party’s chairman citing misconduct,abuse of office and corruption amongst other allegations against Reverend Augustine Ehiemere

In an address read at the state headquarters and made available to the press and signed by members of the state working committee (SWC) and house of assembly members from the party.

The party’s state secretary elder Onukwubiri Sunday said the chairman has been engaged in an illegal printing and sales of nomination forms for the upcoming LGA election, he also cited other acts of misconduct numbering upto ten perpetrated by the chairman causing the party’s S.W.C to pass a vote of no confidence on Reverend Augustine Ehiemere and further stated that he should step aside as the party’s state chairman while the deputy Elder Uzoma Chima Onyekwere will from hence forth over see the activities of the state as the acting state chairman pending when the party will elect a new party chairman to over see the activities of the ...[Read more Details]...http://www.abnews247.com/abia-apga-chairman-sacked-over-fr…/

It was lamentation galore today as the whole of Isiala Ngwa North LGA was thrown into mourning and sadness as a plot hatched in the House of a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly to scuttle the PDP Chairmanship Primaries which eventually held successfully at the LG Secretariat went out of control leading to the death of Mr. Onyenmaechi Onyenro, a staff in the..[Read More]...http://www.abnews247.com/tragedy-strikes-isiala-ngwa-north-lga-as-plot-to-destabilize-scuttle-pdp-primaries-turns-awry-and-out-of-control-leading-to-arson-murder/

It was lamentation galore yesterday as the whole of Isiala Ngwa North LGA was thrown into mourning and sadness.
ABN gathered that one Mr. Onyenmaechi Onyenro, a staff in the office of the LG Transition Chairman Isiala Ngwa in Abia State, was burnt to death in the orchestrated arson of the office of the Chairman of that LGA.

According to Raymond Eguzouwa post on Facebook, He said;
“He died in active service today right inside the office when men of underworld came to Isiala ngwa north council bf the commencement of PDP primary election and set fire to the chairmans office”
* Poltics nawa..[Read More]....http://www.abnews247.com/abia-poll-primaries-lga-staff-burnt-to-death-in-isiala-ngwa-north/

Breaking News..... ABOMARK adopted as consensus candidate for Umuahia North LGA.

In a unanimous decision reached after an exhaustive two days meeting of all the aspirants from ohuhu extraction for the chairmanship of Umuahia North LGA in the upcoming council elections scheduled to be held on the 17th of December 2016 at the instance of Udo ji Agu 1 Ohuhu Chief Obi Aguocha and attended by all the aspirants and the political stake holders in Ohuhu.

The aspirants after due consultation and in the spirit of brotherhood, peace, oneness and unity of the clan and Umuahia North LGA in general decided to adopt Chief Bob Agbugba (ABOMARK) as a consensus candidate for the election, this decision which was reached in good fate and in the spirit of equity and support for the Nkwoachara block was accented to by all the aspirants, the aspirants in a warm embrace pledged to support Chief Bob Agbugba and the PDP to win the chairmanship in the general elections come 17th of December 2016.

The meeting which was held at the residence of Chief Obi Aguocha saw all the major political stake holders from Ohuhu in attendance, while the aspirants thanked the host and expressed gratitude for the Ohuhu stake holders for the wisdom in bringing them together in a unity accord.

Breaking News..... ABOMARK adopted as consensus candidate for Umuahia North LGA.

In a unanimous decision reached after an exhaustive two days meeting of all the aspirants from ohuhu extraction for the chairmanship of Umuahia North LGA in the upcoming council elections scheduled to be held on the 17th of December 2016 at the instance of Udo ji Agu 1 Ohuhu Chief Obi Aguocha and attended by all the aspirants and the political stake holders in Ohuhu.

The aspirants after due consultation and in the spirit of brotherhood, peace, oneness and unity of the clan and Umuahia North LGA in general decided to adopt Chief Bob Agbugba (ABOMARK) as a consensus candidate for the election, this decision which was reached in good fate and in the spirit of equity and support for the Nkwoachara block was accented to by all the aspirants, the aspirants in a warm embrace pledged to support Chief Bob Agbugba and the PDP to win the chairmanship in the general elections come 17th of December 2016.

The meeting which was held at the residence of Chief Obi Aguocha saw all the major political stake holders from Ohuhu in attendance, while the aspirants thanked the host and expressed gratitude for the Ohuhu stake holders for the wisdom in bringing them together in a unity accord.

Former Abia State Governor,Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has condole with the nigeria army over the lost of their dedicated soldier

Kalu said that the Fallen hero made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could all live in peace and security. He was a gallant and great soldier.

We thank Lt. Col. Muhammed Abu Ali for his service and sacrifice.

My condolences to his family, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Nigerian Army.

May his soul Rest in Peace.
http://www.abnews247.com/kalu-condoles-with-the-nigeria-army-over-the-lost-of-their-dedicated-soldier/

Nwokonna Emmanuel. umuahia

FINALLY, the camel back has been broken as Abia State Universal Basic Education Board ASUBEB over the weekend proceeded on indefinite strike for over 6 months salary arrears by the Abia state government despite receiving 4 billion naira education grant which was facilitated through the board.

In an interview with some staff of the board who spoke to our reporter on the condition of anonymity said that the governor had deceived them severally and that each time they want to embark on industrial action over unpaid salaries, Governor ikpeazu will call them for a meeting and plead with them to suspend and go back to work while promising to offset the salaries as quickly as possibly but on each occasion he has failed without coming back to them for explanation.

While narrating the reason for the strike, they said what angered them the more was the meeting they held with the governor last week where he pleaded and cried to them in his usual manner with a promise to credit them with two months salary on Friday 29 of October 2016 out of over six months being owed them, but as predictable as Dr. Ikpeazu has become he failed them again.

According to our source, the entire staff and management of ASUBEB have grown tired of the governor’s insincerity and failed promises and decided to proceed on indefinite strike as they can’t continue coming to work with empty stomach and borrowing to pay transport to and from work anymore.

ABN gathered that the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) units of the 17 Local Government Area (LGA) have threatened to join the strike if the government remains adamant to the request of NASU, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) branch. Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) is not left out in this struggle...http://www.abnews247.com/asubeb-embarked-on-indefinite-strike-says-gov-ikpeazu-has-decieved-them-enough/

By Uche Aguoru

Tomorrow Tuesday the 8th of November 2016 will be another Abia day at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, where Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah’s lawyers led by Dr. Alex Iziyon SAN. Filed a motion for the abridgement of time so as to enable speedy dispensation of justice in the case of Uche Ogah versus Okezie Ikpeazu, while Dr. Ogah’s lawyers is calling for time abridgement that will enable the matter to be determined as quickly as possible and for Abia state to have defined a political leadership that will guarantee sustainable development in the state.

Dr Okezie Ikpeazu through his lead council Chief Olanipekun SAN is arguing that the case should go on at a snail speed and never to be determined till 2019, if there argument is sustained at the Supreme Court tomorrow, God forbid, what it means is that Dr. Ikpeazu has succeeded in drawing the state backwards through out the period the case will last may be next two years and Abia will remain under Ikpeazu’s motion without movement and full of excuses style of governance.

The question now is why is it that Dr. Ikpeazu doesn’t want the matter to gain expeditious hearing?

Why is Dr. Ikpeazu afraid of justice, if he is sure he complied with our extant tax laws as at the time of filing his tax papers?

What does Ikpeazu stand to gain by delaying the matter and dragging the state backwards.

Between the two political gladiators who loves the state more, is it Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah who wants the matter dispensed off speedily so that the state and the people will enjoy the benefits of leadership for the first time since the creation of Abia state or Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu who is praying the court to foot drag the case till 2019 so that the state will become a jungle only fit for animals to inhabit.

Let the people be the judge and let our conscience be our guide in all we do. Please pray for Abia to be liberated from those who wants us to remain in perpetual bondage while they coast home with our collective wealth...(Read More)...http://www.abnews247.com/supreme-court-ogah-vs-ikpeazu-matters-arising-uche-aguoru/

IT is exactly one year now. I remember asking members of the National Assembly to see reasons why they should review the issue of constituency projects in the country’s budget. What informed my decision to make that call was the fact that, as I noted then, the provision gave room for legislative corruption.

But, instead of critically appraising my patriotic and genuine concerns for legislative uprightness and focus, some lawmakers concluded that I was making the call out of malice. They alleged that I was brooding over the loss of the senate seat, which I contested for Abia North Senatorial District.

The dust raised by padding allegations and other outrageous exposés by the former House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, have more than vindicated me.

However, this intervention is not intended for self-glorification or exultation. Rather, after appraising how far the eighth National Assembly has fared in the past 16 months, one is compelled to make the following observations.

In the first place, the National Assembly, through acts of omission and commission, have allowed itself to be distracted and thereby caught in the web of incessant recriminations and manipulations. Secondly, since the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari made the fight against corruption its main policy thrust, the inability of the National Assembly to rise to the occasion and take the driving seat diminishes its place as the first arm of government.

It is in the performance of its constitutional role of lawmaking that the Legislature acquires its pre-eminent position as the driver of governance in a democratic system. And so, because the National Assembly failed to put its house in order to perform that crucial and catalytic role of setting the enabling stage for the fight against corruption, it became a loser. And having been so perceived by Nigerians, it did not take long before the federal legislature was bundled together as part of the institutions that facilitated and propelled the official corruption that has pervaded Nigeria.

This is a very sad and painful development, because, had the National Assembly been very circumspect and patriotic in denouncing narrow interest and personal enrichment, it would have purchased the bond of goodwill of Nigerians and with that essential quality, gone ahead to lift the hand of the executive to give the anti-graft battle the blessing of enabling laws and process facilitation.

That moral high ground was what I expected NASS to mount by sacrificing the crumbs from constituency projects for the bigger things of serving as the moral compass and lighthouse for the executive arm. Had NASS completely expunged constituency projects from the nation’s budget, it would have in so doing, sounded a note of warning to the executive that it was prepared to hold it to account.

It has been observed by no less a person than the former Chairman of Nigeria Human Rights Commission (NHRC); Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, that the greatest source of waste in Nigeria’s practice of presidential system in the past 17 years is the Executive arm. Indeed, available fiscal and structural indices bear eloquent testimonies to that claim. But, somehow, through heedless and needless acts of omission and commission, the National Assembly has been made to, not only look bad in the eyes of Nigerians, but also carry the unenviable burden of being a conduit for waste and private enrichment.

What do I mean by acts of omission and commission? Let me explain. Had the National Assembly decided, after its uproarious election of floor functionaries, to announce the abolition of the constituency project funds, as well as, publish its wages, rebates, commissions and allowances for Nigerians to see, it would have navigated towards transparency.

Lawyers always assert that ‘he who comes to equity must come with clean hands and be prepared to do equity’. As such, by failing to show that it exists to serve the Nigerian masses, NASS lost the driving seat and its good name. Consequently, the twin lawmaking chambers wallowed in bad name, shame and seclusion from the people.

Sitting as an accused, the present National Assembly therefore conjures the image of an enemy, instead of a good friend of lovers of a democratic Nigeria. And with that baggage, whatever steps it takes end up with the halo of deep suspicion and as further evidence of its inelegant conduct.

As the 2017 Appropriation Bill is being awaited and in the light of President Buhari’s request for legislative approval for $30bn external borrowing before it, the National Assembly would no doubt be laboring under the weight of poor public perception and the need to do what is right for the socio-economic and political stability of Nigeria.

It is painful to realise that howsoever NASS chooses to tackle the executive correspondence before it; its loss of citizens’ confidence would besmear its conclusions. Because, should NASS approve the loan request; the lawmakers stand the risk of being accused of patronizing the executive in search of its own cut. And should it withhold consent, the executive might taunt it as enemies of the people.

This dilemma has been thrust on NASS, because it lost the driving wheel in the anti-graft consciousness. The amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Code of Conduct Tribunal Acts, which some people are asking the president to withhold ascent, suffer from that negative perception of NASS.

Intimidated by its failings, one hopes that other crucial legislations begging for review, including the Electoral Act, INEC operations and the Constitution would not suffer from any defects arising from the public image of the federal legislature as a self-serving arm of government.

If that happens, Nigerians might as well zero their minds away from the optimism that the present NASS would deepen democracy and facilitate good governance in this dispensation, and start thinking of how to elect courageous, but incorruptible patriots to the National Assembly.

Dr. Onuoha-Bourdex, a telecom expert, who contested the last Abia North Senatorial District Election, writes from Abiriba, Abia State.

Police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Obehie in Abia State have arrested a police officer identified as Sergeant Matthew Elah for allegedly snatching a motorcycle from its owner at gunpoint.

ABN gathered that Elah, attached to the Department of Operations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Police Command, allegedly committed the crime at Umuteke, Akwette in Ukwa West Local Government Area with one Sergeant Isah Alhaji attached to 48 PMF, Ahoada, now at large.

In his confessional statement, the suspect said Alhaji had asked him to accompany him for an operation without giving the details to him.

He said, “Sergeant Alhaji came to my house at Obehie and asked me accompany him to see somebody, but I saw him with a gun and asked him where he got the gun from and he told me that he got it from armed robbers who were arrested for snatching a motorcycle.

“So, he stopped one motorcyclist, who carried the two of us, but along the way, he asked the man to stop and help him to open one gate while I was holding the gun for him. But he later climbed the bike and zoomed off.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade, who paraded the suspect at the Command headquarters in Umuahia, said efforts were in top gear to..[Read More Details]...http://www.abnews247.com/nigerian-police-sergeant-nabbed-for-motorcycle-theft-in-abia/

By Ezedimbu Kelvin..

No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it. I remain overwhelmed when I am seeing a lot things going the wrong way in Abia State.

During my time as a student of Abia State University (ABSU) I witnessed what we call tremendous hike in school fees. In year one we paid N31,010 , year two N47,500 , year three N55,500 , year four N80,000 and year five N83,000 all this was in Theodore Ahamefula Orji’s administration, I could remember vividly that in 2009 students wore black and protested in Government House, Umuahia, all because of school fees hike. In 2012 we lost a great comrade Uruakpa Chidi, ABSU Student Union Government President, on his way back from the Government House.

He had an accident and died all because he refused to sign the tremendous increase in school fees. There is no doubt that T. A. Orji can just wake up from sleep and decide to compare himself with Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, an enigma and a successful business mogul, for his sinful administration with that of Dr Kalu.

During the era of OUK as fondly called, education was his first priority in Abia State which was free in primary and secondary sections, in university level both the indigenes and non indigenes were paying less in which many that benefited can also testify about all this goodwill done by him, his love and care for ABSU students made him to build the biggest hostel which is the Acon hostel.

We have prayed to God for peace to reign in Abia State (Gods own state) but a father and son keep holding Abians to ransom. Now, the immediate-past governor of Abia State, T. A Orji, who described himself as a rising political star should hide his face in shame and show Abians what were his assets before he became governor or who was he in Nigeria.

To an ordinary Abian, the leadership of T. A. Orji brought merciless hardship to people, poverty, hunger and enmity. Using Abia money to acquire properties in and outside Nigeria, buying and making enemy to his predecessor OUK.
All this development is so ugly and has made my mind heavy as I wonder what level of measure he want to use his sinful, hatred and ungodly administration to compare with that of our Great leader, a man with a heart of Gold Dr Kalu that handed over power to him peacefully.
Mothers enjoyed the free medicals, students enjoyed the free education, businessmen and women also enjoyed peace of mind while the sports sector hail him for his love and support towards and more especially for supporting Enyinmba FC for winning the cup back to back which Prof Mazi the then Commissioner for Sports testify that Dr. Kalu is blessed leader and cannot be compared to a greedy successor that finds it difficult to pay workers but is ready to use the money to buy himself all those that loves OUK’s into his team for them to hate OUK because 97 per cent of those working with him are all OUK’s loyalists. Over to Governor ikpeazu it takes a great leader that finds himself in a big position to humble himself and serve the masses, you are an Adventist I am calling on you to make a change and leave a legacy in Abia that all will remember you with, I got this information from an insider the message is strong that the reason why you refused to pay Dr Kalu his pension is said to have been that he did not acknowledge you as a governor!
This is heart aching and worrisome when heard because it does not portray peace in the mindsets of the common man in Abia while you pay his successor and your predecessor T. A. Orji his pension, this is not worthy of your leadership as a man that fears and respects God don’t just see it as playing politics.

Several great men of God have called T.A Orji and Kalu for peace, Kalu came but T. A. Orji did not honour the invitation, this was a big slap to those men of God.
T.A. Orji now keep hunting Orji Uzor Kalu because he is more social and interacts with the masses he knows and don’t know, he is so scared of him that he does not want him back....http://www.abnews247.com/whos-after-orji-kalus-progress/

AN analytical assessment of the financial accruals into Abia state government’s accounts between may 29th, 2015 to September 2016. Abia state had recorded a financial inflow of approximately 52. 693,000,710 billion Naira from the federal accounts allocation committee (FAAC), and an approximation of the sum of 18, 283,000,000 billion Naira has been received from the joint accounts committee (JAC).

A rough estimate of our Internally generated revenue (IGR) leaves us at 19,349,444,263,72 billion Naira. While it is also an open knowledge that the Abia state government has received in like sum the amount of 4 billion Naira as education grant, 1.5 million dollars (675,000,000 six hundred and seventy five million Naira) as health grants from world health organization. One billion Naira agricultural loan, 30 billion Naira foreign loan, and the state also benefitted from the federal government bailout fund of 14.152 billion Naira.

A computation of all these figures leaves us at a humongous sum of 140,923,000,000 billion and this is an under-reckoning from the actual figure accrued to the state accounts from the inception of this administration from May 29th 2015 to September 2016.

One thing I have come to understand in life and which has become sacrosanct is that, never at any point in the life of a government or an organization, has it been recorded, that a government or an organisation has all the money needed to perform its statutory functions.

Dr. M.I.Okpara,as the premier of the the Eastern Region,never had petro-dollar when he built modern ceramics industry,Golden Guinea Breweries,Nigercem Nkalagu, Anamco in Emene and other cottage industries within his time as premier.

Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe was not dependent on federal allocations,infact it wasn’t just coming when he built the Imo Airport, the International Glass Industry, Concorde hotel Owerri, Ogwe Golden Chicken, Abia state university, Ariaria international market etc.

Today, we are privy to the building of a garment industry described as the largest in Africa by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, while his Akwaibom state counterpart has revived Premier Fisheries a state government owned fishing firm and had also revived the Moribund Akwa Ibom cocoa scheme amongst other agricultural schemes that has been brought back to life under Udom Emmanuel’s administration, it will amount to trying to place death ahead of life any attempt made at comparing Anambra under Obiano to Abia under Ikpeazu.

Ebonyi which has all along received negative knocks from the media and political analysts are now being placed as second in the South East in administrative excellence and delivery of democratic dividends to its citizens with the giant strides of Governor Dave Umahi in the area of agricultural,industrial and infrastructural revolution in Ebonyi state, Enugu state whose performance rating in governance dropped under the Ugwuanyi administration is still far ahead of Abia in payment of salaries, service delivery to the citizenry, rural infrastructure and human capital development. while Imo Under Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Abia under Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu PhD. are struggling for a place in who will outdo each other in the bottom position.

One striking fact that every political watcher will have to take home is that all the South East and South South states here mentioned, receives less allocation than Abia state except for Akwaibom.

That Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has performed abysmally is not as a result of paucity of funds but what political watchers has described as poverty of ideas, misplaced priorities, lack of prudence in financial management and excessive engagement in frivolities rather than essentialism, weak and unclear economic policies, and laziness in governance and wealth creation etal.
Dr Ikpeazu has proved through his governance style that he lacks the required wisdom to handle the economic steering wheel of a state like Abia, with the abundance of human and material depo..[Read More]..http://www.abnews247.com/a-governor-and-poverty-of-ideas-part-2-uche-aguoru/

A governor and poverty of Ideas part 2

By Uche Aguoru

An analytical assessment of the financial accruals into Abia state government’s accounts between may 29th, 2015 to September 2016. Abia state had recorded a financial inflow of approximately 52. 693,000,710 billion Naira from the federal accounts allocation committee (FAAC), and an approximation of the sum of 18, 283,000,000 billion Naira has been received from the joint accounts committee (JAC).

A rough estimate of our Internally generated revenue (IGR) leaves us at 19,349,444,263,72 billion Naira. While it is also an open knowledge that the Abia state government has received in like sum the amount of 4 billion Naira as education grant, 1.5 million dollars (675,000,000 six hundred and seventy five million Naira) as health grants from world health organization. One billion Naira agricultural loan, 30 billion Naira foreign loan, and the state also benefitted from the federal government bailout fund of 14.152 billion Naira.

A computation of all these figures leaves us at a humongous sum of 140,923,000,000 billion and this is an under-reckoning from the actual figure accrued to the state accounts from the inception of this administration from May 29th 2015 to September 2016.

One thing I have come to understand in life and which has become sacrosanct is that, never at any point in the life of a government or an organization, has it been recorded, that a government or an organisation has all the money needed to perform its statutory functions.

Dr. M.I.Okpara,as the premier of the the Eastern Region,never had petro-dollar when he built modern ceramics industry,Golden Guinea Breweries,Nigercem Nkalagu, Anamco in Emene and other cottage industries within his time as premier.

Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe was not dependent on federal allocations,infact it wasn't just coming when he built the Imo Airport, the International Glass Industry, Concorde hotel Owerri, Ogwe Golden Chicken, Abia state university, Ariaria international market etc.

Today, we are privy to the building of a garment industry described as the largest in Africa by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, while his Akwaibom state counterpart has revived Premier Fisheries a state government owned fishing firm and had also revived the Moribund Akwa Ibom cocoa scheme amongst other agricultural schemes that has been brought back to life under Udom Emmanuel's administration, it will amount to trying to place death ahead of life any attempt made at comparing Anambra under Obiano to Abia under Ikpeazu.

Ebonyi which has all along received negative knocks from the media and political analysts are now being placed as second in the South East in administrative excellence and delivery of democratic dividends to its citizens with the giant strides of Governor Dave Umahi in the area of agricultural,industrial and infrastructural revolution in Ebonyi state, Enugu state whose performance rating in governance dropped under the Ugwuanyi administration is still far ahead of Abia in payment of salaries, service delivery to the citizenry, rural infrastructure and human capital development. while Imo Under Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Abia under Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu PhD. are struggling for a place in who will outdo each other in the bottom position.

One striking fact that every political watcher will have to take home is that all the South East and South South states here mentioned, receives less allocation than Abia state except for Akwaibom.

That Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has performed abysmally is not as a result of paucity of funds but what political watchers has described as poverty of ideas, misplaced priorities, lack of prudence in financial management and excessive engagement in frivolities rather than essentialism, weak and unclear economic policies, and laziness in governance and wealth creation etal. Dr Ikpeazu has proved through his governance style that he lacks the required wisdom to handle the economic steering wheel of a state like Abia, with the abundance of human and material deposits domiciled in the state and begging to be harnessed to improve the economic fortunes of the state. The immediate question on the lips of all economic followers and analysts has been, what has Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD. done with all the funds stated above and accrued to the state coffers from the beginning of the life of this administration till date.

Why are the teachers being owed for upwards of 6 months and counting? Why are the pensioners being owed for more than 16 months? Why are workers in the ministries, agencies and parastatals crying over the inability of the state government to settle their salaries and wages for more than 6 months? Why is it that council staff across the 17 LGA,s have not received their salaries for a period of 7 months stating the least? Why are all the roads in Abia practically impassable despite all the media noise and hype? Why has refuse taken over the streets of Aba and Umuahia and the people now resort to self help by burning them right inside the waste buckets to avert a possible outbreak of epidermic? Why is there no pipe borne water and no budgetary approvals of running it despite the huge allocations channeled to the ministry of infrastructure and water resources? Why are schools not being renovated despite processing and receiving grants to that effect? Why are all the markets in Abia left to rot away despite the heavy taxation and in most cases double taxation on the traders? Why has hoodlums,criminals and 419ers taken over the streets of Aba and Umuahia and nothing is being done to check their nefarious activities, why are the doctors and nurses in the government owned hospitals always on strike as a result of governments inability to pay the salaries and allowances of the health workers and no drugs provided in our hospitals? Why why why and why will only a handful of politicians and cronies of the governor be living in abundance while the rest of the citizenry wallow in penury and lack.

Juxtapose the funds so far received from the federation account, the internal and external borrowings, the internally generated revenues, and other grants that the government has received within a period of one year and five months as against what the administration of Dr. Ikpeazu has done within same period one cannot help but shudder and marvel in horror as to what will become of the economic future of Abia state under Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu PhD if the gods at the temple of justice allow him to take charge of the economic affairs of the state in the next two years.

Aguoru

Writes from Umuahia
Reply
Forward

In a communiqué released at the end of the meeting of the Ohuhu Consultative Forum (OCF), over the weekend and made available to the press, the group said that they have had a purported radio announcement by some group of Ohuhu Eze,s zoning the candidacy of Umuahia North LGA council election to Umuhu ward, as against the decision reached at the stake holders meeting which considered all political arrangements and conveniences holding the Ohuhu clan together and decided that the position should go to the okaiuga block and a subsequent meeting of the Ohuhu Elders Council with all the aspirant’s with a resolution asking all the contestants to go to the field so as to allow the most popular candidate to emerge giving room to democratic best practices which Ohuhu is not averse to.

(1) We the Ohuhu Consultative Forum wish to state and categorically that it will be against the principal of democratic norms to disenfranchise any candidate by giving one candidate undue advantage.

(2) We will resist any attempt by a group of Ezes to impose a candidate of their choice on us due largely to compromise and horse trading by the Ezes.

(3) Ndi Eze is not supposed to be seen playing politics as they are only the custodian of tradition and not politicians.

(4) We wish to use this opportunity to call on the PDP party chairman LGA, the State PDP chairman and all other political stake holders to resist any attempt by the Ezes to subvert the collective will of the people or face stiff resistance by Ndi Ohuhu.

Sign
Obioma Onwuka
Secretary (OCF)
http://www.abnews247.com/abia-council-polls-ohuhu-consultative-forum-protest-imposition-of-candidates/

.....Community demands Justice

Indigenes of Umukabia Umuabom community in Umuahia North local government area, Abia State took to the street of Umuahia the State capital Monday to protest the death of their kinsman Mr. Chinonso Nwazue popularly known as 2Pac, who reportedly died in Police custody on Sunday,30th October 2016.

The deceased’s Elder brother Chukwuemeka Nwazue who spoke to Abia Breaking News alleged that his brother was arrested at their family house on Akwuzu lane by Niger road in Umuahia around 12 o’clock in the night while he was hanging out in the front of the house.

He said, “My late brother was beaten up-to-two hours before he was taken to the police station, this morning I received a call that he was dead and I went to the mortuary to see his corpse, but they directed me to go to the Police station and get the tally from them.

“ We want those Police officers that killed my brother to come out and explain to us what he did, because we know that he didn’t do anything, he is not a criminal, he own a shop where he sells jeans and shirts. He is the only one that stays with my mother in the house and she is in the Police station with me here as i am talking” He Said.

But in shift reaction the Commissioner of Police in the State Mr. Adeleye Oyabade said the deceased was arrest in connection with an attempted rape of a girl in his custody.

The Police Commissioner who spoke through a statement by the Police Public Relation Officer in the state ASP Ogbonaya Nta said a Police patrol team from the Umuahia central Police Station while responding to a distress call about a purported robbery incident on Akwuzu Street met a girl of about 22 year old and a boy holding a bag in front of a building in the street.

According to the statement, “The young boy left the lady on sighting the police and went inside a room in the building...http://www.abnews247.com/man-35-year-old-dies-in-police-custody-in-umuahia/

Apugo a man in self delusion and deserving of a place in jail

Going through Benedict Benjamin Apugo's records a lost out APC leader, a selfish dupe and fraudster, one will begin to wonder where shame and integrity has gone to, what were Ibeku monarchs thinking when they adorned him with the title of Opara Ukwu Ibeku, a title that should be reserved to men of impeccable character now being used to decorate an ignoble entity with a filthy reputation not worthy to be presented any where as an Ibeku indigene talk more of being addressed as Opara Ukwu Ibeku, if not not for the corruption that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society

Apugo had conjecturably over time blamed senator T.A Orji a proud son of Ibeku land, a man who is highly celebrated by Abia leaders of thought, a man who brought peace, sanity and development in Ibeku and Abia in general,a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, a man with a towering reputation for decency and hard work and a two time governor of Abia state with a track record of performance for his woes.

Apugo's stark illiteracy which has always led him into self contradiction and has driven him into unparalleled greed and passion for snatching people's parcels of land forcefully and declaring same his by claiming that such a land was bequeathed to him by his father, he will also threaten and in most cases carry out the threat of snuffing lives out of who ever dares to ask for a return of such a forcefully and greedily acquired property

Chief Apugo is a well known fraudster and a man with little or no integrity left in him,whose favourite past time is to forcefully collect people's wives and rip-off unsuspecting potential land buyers off their money, he has so many open police records in umuahia central police station over cases of people he duped with the pretence of selling parcels of land belonging to other people to them, he is reputed across Ibeku land to have been forcefully collecting peoples parcels of land especially the poor with his ill gotten wealth, a man who couldn't train his children if not for Sen. T.A Orji who came to his rescue by assisting his children and placing them as aides in his government that enabled some of them become responsible.

For Chief Apugo to shamelessly come to the pages of a newspaper to say that the Abia shopping mall a PPP project initiated by Chief T.A Orji while he was the governor of Abia state,sited at the old gariki and currently under construction at 90% completion level belongs to Senator T.A Orji exposes him as a cheap liar with little or no integrity left in him

Also in your failed attempt to malign the person of senator T.A Orji (the pride of Ibeku) as a result of envy, you said that the distinguished senator who is well respected across Nigeria, as the governor of Abia state embezzled the sum of 474 billion Naira belonging to Abia state, that shows how lacking you are in knowledge of how the finances of a state is being managed, Prince Apugo let me give you a little lecture though it will be difficult for you to comprehend due to your lack of education, state funds are not kept in a chop box it goes through the banks and the records are open for any body to see it's not like money gotten through dubious sales of other people's properties that you can keep under your bed and common sense would have told you that, since you acknowledged that EFCC operatives came to Umuahia and spent weeks looking for evidence of the so called petition you claimed to have been written by the so called save abia initiative for change after which the EFCC operatives left without even having a chat with Sen. Orji it means they have gone through the books and found out that no single penny was missing from Abia treasury as maliciously alleged by you and I challenge you to produce evidence of any atom of corruption perpetrated by Sen. Orji as the governor of Abia state since the burden of proof is on he who alleges.

In your effort to drag Senator Orji into your misfortune you claimed that he arranged the case you are answering today over one of the numerous dubious land deals involving one Mr. Obioma Isiuwa with the EFCC of which you had been severally detained, let me remind you that it was Falana & Falana chambers that took the matter to the EFCC and not Ochendo as he is not a lawyer and does not work in Falana & Falana chambers

There is no point trying to deny the fact that you are making efforts at getting the attention of Governor Ikpeazu a governor you never supported and who is in a rival political party with you, it beats my imagination the type of advice that a man of your nature who is ill mannered and morally deficient will want to render to a state governor.

It is only a mad man that dances naked in the village, stop disgracing the Ibeku clan by exposing your illiteracy every day on the pages of every newspaper, your evil antecedents are well known and we know who is who in Ibeku land.

Nkemdirim Obasi
A proud son Ibeku Egwu Asa

Paedophilia, One nation two laws

By Uche Aguoru

As Nigerians are basking in the euphoria of the release of the 21 Chibok girls, which many political watchers has described as a well scripted home video with the title the "KIDNAP OF THE CHIBOK GIRLS " the actors had successfully acted it out in different seasons and scenes till this concluding part captioned THE RETURN OF CHIBOK 21 where I saw Mr. President address the public for the first time in a very sober and emotionally laden tongue devoid of his usual warning stance on how he will deal with any one who dared to test his resolve.

While I congratulate the APC on the successful premiere of that movie the Return of CHIBOK 21 I want to bring our attention to a very disturbing trend that has gone on for ages unchecked leaving the victims who are usually minors and females in a state of total emotional and psychological disrepair.

Just a few months back we all followed the story of how Yinusa Yellow eloped with Ese Oruru a minor from Bayelsa to kano,barred her parents from seeing her, changed her religion and name,forced her into marriage with the full connivance and support of his family and religious leaders who went ahead to conduct a wedding without the consent of the parents of the girl knowing very well that she is a minor and incapable of taking responsibilities over her action at that age, his supporters and co-travellers in the inhuman,wicked, irresponsible and barbaric act of paedophilia backed it up the with sharia law that gave them the power to dehumanise and ravage an under aged girl in the name of marriage.

While the involution of the Emir of Kano in the unholy union between Yinusa and Ese Oruru cannot be clearly ascertained as the Emir of Kano Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was quick to deny any involvement in the barbarous exogamy as soon as it became public knowledge and rights groups began to agitate for the release of the minor.

There are several of this devilish misalliances taking place every other day in the northern part of Nigeria, which has been going unnoticed or unannounced by the parents or relatives of the girl child for fear of being victimised or even killed and are definitely sure that they are not going to get any protection or help from the law enforcement agents.

But the most terrifying is the latest by the Emir of Katsina Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir who was defending the adoption, forcible conversion and forceful marriage of a 14 year old Habiba Isiyaku a Christian and a minor by one of the emirs relatives and the Emir's closest aide Jamilu Lawal right inside his palace.

Inline with our extant laws on the rights of a child or a minor “Section 21 of the Child’s Rights Act stipulates that no person shall remove or take a child out of the custody or protection of his father,mother or guardian against the will of the father, mother or guardian" under this very act any marriage so contracted is null, void and of no effect under the law, but the question again is under which law? The sharia law or the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria.

I find it therefore extremely difficult to come to terms with the learned Emirs position that the minor was not forced into such a marriage, what is more disturbing is the fact that such irreverence and depredation on the 14 year old Habiba is being done right inside the Emirs palace, the position of the commissioner of police in this issue leaves me confused as to which statute book the country,s legal system is predicated upon.

The police in all the cases raised in the northern part of Nigeria has taken a position of CAN,T HELP based on the laws as established by the Sharia legal system, but if such a case is established in the southern part of Nigeria the law and the society will waste no time in dealing severe blows on whoever is involved in violating the rights of the girl child as Paedophilia is perceived not only as a crime against humanity and society but a sacrilege.

And that brings us to the question, Are we running on different standards and different laws under one constitution in a given society?

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

An octogenarian and Traditionalist, Nze Emmanuel Isiguzoro says the immediate past Governor of Abia state, Chief Theodore Orji is a native of Umuogbomu-Umuonuogele Umukabia Ohuhu in Umuahia north local government area of the state.

The octogenarian exposed this while speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, Nze Isiguzoro who hails from Azumiri-Akpuala Umukabia Ohuhu, made it clear that Chief T.A Orji is their son and not an indigene of Ibeku which he claims to be his hometown.

Nze Isiguzoro explained that one Thomas Ogbuagu, a brother to Francis Ogbuagu, from the Ogbuagu family in Umukabia Ohuhu was bought as a slave together with one Orji, Chief T.A orji’s father to Ibeku land, where they had their names changed to Tom Ikoro and Orji Ikoro.

Another Ibeku son who does want his name mentioned laid weight on the revelation of Nze Emmanuel by saying

“It is in the light of this slave background of Chief T.A Orji, that the atrocities he meted out against the people of Ibeku land in his eight year rule as governor can best be explained, as he used his position to desecrate Ibeku culture and tradition and impoverishing the people that harboured him, through forceful acquisition of their lands and other properties that belongs to them”.

Based on the information we gathered, It is alleged that Chief T. A Orji took as private property, the Ogwumabiri Umuahia(Umuahia main Market) established by the colonial masters which had existed for over four hundred years, took the old Timber Shade in Afara Ibeku, colonial burial ground which he converted and built personal houses, federal government Forestry Afara, Garki cattle market set up in the colonial days, Saint Finbars Catholic Church land former handcraft centre, Government quarters at Adelabu street which is now converted to his private estate, Abia state Ministry of Lands premises, where he drove them out to erect personal houses, Ministry of Works premises at Library Avenue, where he is also building personal houses as well as took part of the land belonging to Abia Newspapers, which he demarcated with a fence and illegally allocated to himself and his in-law, Sir Ebenezar Offor.

It also alleged that T. A Orji, in his onslaught against Ibeku people forcefully confiscated a parcel of land owned by Umuohu Okpula-Ihie Ndume people and built Hannah May Foundation for his wife, Odochi Orji.

T. A Orji also forcefully took large expanse of land belonging Umuohu Azueke-Lodu Ndume for his personal business. He snatched Umuana Ndume land, and locked up the entire villagers, which compelled the women to protest on the streets, naked. The matter is still in court as we gathered.



We were also informed that T.A Orji also took lands belonging to Erote Ibeku and Amaforo near Okakwo for the building of private houses very close to Ajata Ibeku.

T.A Orji also snatched lands belonging to Umuhute Ndume Ibeku where he built an oil mill. It is only Ofeke Ibeku that resisted him and he was not able to take their lands as gathered by AFN.

All these nefarious activities allegedly perpetrated against Ibeku people by T.A orji, goes to corroborate the statement credited to the King of Ibeku and Ogurube iv of Ibeku, who is the highest traditional ruler in the entire Ibeku kingdom, Eze Samuel Iheony Onuohu who told T. A Orji that he is not a true son of Ibeku land, after T. A Orji castigated the Paramount ruler as a hungry man.

“In all this intimidations, the people of Ibeku land still stand firm and insist that T.A Orji is not their son, but a slave who desperately wants to make up for his inadequacies by snatching lands, which the people will definitely reclaim” Mr. Ejike Nwaoma said.

Most Abians are wondering why T.A Orji is still going about free after severally petitions had been written to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) with documentary prove in DVD, VCD and other documents of his maladministration and unprecedented looting of Abia funds and property as well as snatching of lands belonging to Ibeku people

A governors passion and the sufferings of his subjects

By Uche Aguoru

It was chief Obafemi Awolowo that said and I quote, "That which you cannot afford to do with your personal funds do not do it with public funds"

As a person I have nothing against people's hobbies, personal past times or passion not minding how expensive, moderate or lowly such an interest would want to be, as much as you can afford it, that is okay by me.

I can also remember vividly an arranged chance meeting a week after swearing into office as the governor of Abia state between a popular blogger and Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD. in the economy class of Aero contractors enroute Abuja from Imo Airport, Asked why he as a governor chose to fly in the economy class he said and I quote "My dear sister this is where I belong, I am a common governor for the common people"

But today the common people's common governor now flies around the world in private jets from the common funds of the common people, what an irony.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets, teachers are being owed nine months salary.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets faulks road was turned to a lake

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets Ariaria market has become inaccessible and trading activities halted due to bad road and flooding

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets pensioners are dying for lack of money to take care of them selves because they are being owed for 25 months

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets Abia poly went on strike, over 6 months unpaid salaries

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets, refuse has taken over the streets of Abia and the citizens can no longer breathe.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets, maternal and child mortality rate rose in Abia due to lack of adequate Medicare.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets, kidnappers,robbers and criminals took over the streets and Abians no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets Abia roads became death traps and ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene, Aba/Portharcourt and other access roads into the state became impassable.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets, factories and businesses were closing down due to lack of enabling environment.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets potable or drinkable water had become luxury in Abia state as our water pipes have all dried up with no hopes of repairs.

While my governor was busy flying around in private jets, cost of Intra city transportation was jerked up by 200%

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets unemployment rate has risen at an astronomical ratio and touting has become the only industry that has been employing youths, graduates inclusive in Abia state.

While my governor was busy flying around the world in private jets the 14.152 billion Naira bailout fund received from FG was misappropriated.

Incase you have not been informed, While you flew to America on private jet the case of fraud alleged against Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah in igbosere magistrate court which you and your media agents have laboriously struggled to over-dramatise and celebrate, have been discharged and Dr. Ogah cleared of any involvement in fraud, so sorry for that disappointment the ABIA REJOICE dream is still alive and will materialise quicker that you and your co agents of darkness pressing Abia down can imagine.

I still repeat that I have nothing against the governors passion for flying around in private jets but using the funds meant for the improvement of living standards of Abians to pay for his expensive past time is totally unacceptable and must be condemned and called to order.

Aguoru
Writes from Umuahia

Most often I want to wonder if T A Orji has any integrity left in him, It beats my imagination how a low life like Theodore Orji, a man who can go to any length to sell his conscience for the sake of money and power should come out in the public to speak and even stand as a senator after running Abia down.

For a man to go as low as standing naked before occultic shrines to swear to an oath because he wants to be made a governor is what could be described as despicable desperation at its apex, and it takes only men without conscience and suffering from low esteem to enter into such unholy practice.

Theodore has proved to be the worst mistake in Abia government house and his eight years as governor was only characterised by reckless spending, stealing of public funds and all manner of evil.

Ahamefule Orji if you can truly search your conscience and tell your inner self some vital truths you should know that you have never won an election even in your village, the Ibeku's know that you are a man lacking in integrity and in possession of all kinds of sour manners and at such they have all the time rejected you even with their votes.

What can you say you used your position as governor to achieve in Ibeku land if not to fraudulently enrich your self and snatch people's lands? Is it not true that you frustrated Prof. Emejuoiwe out of office as ABSIEC chairman and refused pay his entitlements because he refused to sell his house to you, how did you acquire the following properties as a governor of Abia state if not through a fraudulent use of your office as a governor, the old Umuahia main market that you relocated without due compensation to the rightful owners and you have now turned to a private estate owned by you, what of the Nkata Ibeku, old Umuahia, Ministry of Lands prop­erty, old Umuahia Timber Shed (where you converted and building a pri­vate housing estate), Ajata Ogwuru, what about the old Garki Umuahia where you are using the states apparatus to build a private shopping mall, what about the Isi­court Gravel Market, Umuhute, Ihie, Umuoho, Umuana, Mbom, Emede, Urban etc.

For T.A Orji to turn back to discredit Orji Kalu a man who picked him up and made him his chief of staff and thereafter made him governor from prison shows how ungrateful he can be even to God his creator, Theordore Orji spent eight years as a governor without any monumental achievement except for personal enrichment from public funds and it beats me where a criminal like Ahamefule Orji who should be spending time in jail now for his crimes against the people of Abia state acquire the audaciousness to insult great sons of Ibeku like me Chief B.B Apugo (Opara Ukwu Ibeku) And other prominent sons of Ibeku, it takes only one who is not a bonafide son of Ibeku ancestral kingdom like T.A Orji to insult the sacred institution such as that of a monarch in Ibeku land.

Now that T.A Orji no longer enjoys immunity what is delaying the EFCC from taking him back to prison where he came from to become governor in 2007, what happened to his case file when he was arrested, investigated and was facing criminal charges before he was elected governor and received a shade of immunity, is it true as he has always boasted that he has used his criminally acquired funds to kill the charges against him by the EFCC?

Probity is a very rare acquisition that is not gotten through criminal acquisition of funds but through ones life style character and his standing with his community,friends and associates and Theodore Ahamefule Orji is a dwarf when it comes to issues bothering on integrity and character and cannot even in the next generation get close to me Prince B.B Apugo an accomplished business man of high repute and impeccable integrity no matter how much he tries to bring me down by framing up some trumped up allegations against my person, my character stands out and it's well known and acknowledged by every Ibeku man,women and even children.

T.A Orji has laboriously attempted to malign my name and integrity through a land transaction I had with one Mr. Obioma Isiuwa which I have been cleared of by the EFCC and other law enforcement agents that he (TA Orji) had engineered to ensure that my name was brought to disrepute. I have nothing against TA Orji as he is my age mate and kinsman, but the only crime I know I committed against Theodore was my insistence that he should work for the people and not steal from public funds, but my integrity and person stands out despite Ahamefule's fruitless attempts at getting back at me for advising him as my kinsman against looting of state funds.

GIVE US JUSTICE,ABIA WON'T BOIL - ABIANS CRY OUT
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The condition of Abia State is so pathetic that all there is to see and harvest in Abia, is misery, complaint and hardship. The residents of Aba ,Umuahia, the entire Ukwa-Ngwa and it's environ grumble day and night in silence waiting for the day of liberation.

A tour of Aba, can best describe the untold hardship those who live and do business there go through. The extent of decay is so bad that almost everything that Aba is used to be know for as once a bubbly city is gone and this Japan of Africa reduced to a ghost town.

Residents day and night offer prayers to God almighty for His timely intervention. Each time there is a court case against the sitting government, the residents rejoice, praying that justice be served the common people of Abia whose mandate was stolen at the last PDP guber primaries and a continuation of their misery served them.

Abians keep on asking, "where have we wronged Justice?"

Abians earnestly wait on the supreme court's decision to wipe away their tears.

However, the minute, insignificant few serving under the sitting government,who swore that good governance won't happen in Abia and their team of fellow traducers who had insured that Abia remains a laughing stock in the comity of states, have begun a move aimed at misinforming prominent Nigerians and leaders of thought across the country. Selling a LIE about an impending calamity and mayhem that maybe unleashed on the state by Supporters of Dr. Ikpeazu, if justice is done and judgment delivered in favour of Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah at the Supreme Court court.

The question is:- who is in support of Dr. Ikpeazu apart from his family members and his political cronies who take part in looting Abia treasury?

Who will fight for an insensitive governor who will not pay salaries but force workers to report at a rally for a pittance?

Who will support or fight for a governor who have failed in securing their lives and properties, providing infrastructure,health care,transportation, education,food security etc.?

Therefore Abians, both at home and in diaspora, the market women, the bus & Keke drivers, the civil servants, traders, politicians, school children, teachers, farmers, artisans,pensioners etc. Living and working in Abia or else where, wants and supports Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah in his mission to free the state from the hands of those who had kept it down and has refused to allow the state develop beyond where they kept it for personal aggrandisement.

Abians of different walks of life, traditional rulers, business Men, industrialists, captains of industries, entertainment Pros, community leaders, religious leaders, media practitioners, transporters union executives etc. All in one accord hereby wish to debunk any unfounded and misleading lies aimed at cowing the judiciary into twisting justice in favour of Dr. Ikpeazu, having failed in his bid to twist justice at the Supreme Court now diverted to blackmail.

Abians invite all the prominent Nigerians who have been approached and misinformed by this team,to conduct a secret and private investigation on the streets of Aba,Umuahia and the entire Ukwa-Ngwa to seek the opinion of Abians outside Dr. Ikpeazu's camp and find out the true feelings of the people over the present government and who their preferred choice of a governor is, between Dr. Ikpeazu and Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah.

Abians are peace loving people and Abia is not a volatile state as Dr. Ikpeazu would want to make you believe,and every Abian is in support of justice and yearn for good governance and therefore not ready even under financial inducement to cause mayhem or disturb the peace and movement of their fellow Abians in an event justice is done in favour of Dr. Ogah who obviously is their choice of a leader and enjoys their prayer and good will. They can take a cue from the jubilation and happiness that rented the air across Abia state, from the hinterland to the cities of Aba, Umuahia and ohafia down to Arochukwu on the 27th of June the day justice Okon Abang delivered judgment in favour of Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, It will therefore amount to a great disservice and injustice if the expectation of the ordinary Abian is cut short on the strength of sheer misinformation,intimidation and conscious lies by the enemies of Abia.

Abians appeal to prominent Nigerians, opinion leaders and the eminent justices of the Supreme Court to allow justice take its course in the interest of the peaceful, God fearing and law abiding Abians, we expect that intimidation and misinformation should not tamper with the spirit of the law and we not only expect justice to be done, every Abian expect to see it done by giving us our God given leader in the person of Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah.
~~
Chief Emmanuel Nwafor
Chairman
Aba Urban Landlord/ Tenants Association

Writes from Aba,Abia State