I will Win 2019 IMO Governorship Election ~ Ihedioha...

The newly elected Imo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has assured members of his party that he will lead the party to victory, in next year’s general elections.


Chief Ihedioha gave the assurance while fielding questions from journalists yesterday, in Owerri.

“Honestly, I am humbled by this victory. I thank God. I am grateful to my party members, who have again exhibited unflinching faith in me, to fly the PDP flag...

More Details here
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/i-will-win-2019-imo-governorship.html

Thunder Strike kills Hundreds of Cows As Fulani Hersmen mourn their Loses



No fewer than 103 cows have been killed by thunder in Ekiti state.

The deafening thunder was accompanied by a downpour recorded in parts of the state in last couple of days.

The incident, which occurred at Okeowa Eluju , a farmstead in...


More Details details Here
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/thunder-strike-kills-hundreds-of-cows.html

Gov. Peter Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said the 2019 presidential election will not be a contest between PDP and President Muhammadu Buhari but a straight fight between the president and Nigerians who are tired of his misrule.

Fayose In a statement, Fayose said Buhari has...
More Here
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/2019-elections-its-war-between.html

Abia :- Okezie Ikpeazu

Adamawa :- Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri

Akwa Ibom :- Udom Emmanuel

Bauchi :- Senator Bala Muhammed

Benue :- Samuel Ortom

Cross Rivers :- Ben Ayade

Delta :-...

More Here
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/see-list-of-pdp-gubernatorial.html

An election duty commissioner of police from Kogi state, Ali Janga, has been posted to Imo state

Janga was posted to the state by the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, in a bid to ensure a hitch-free governorship primary of the APC

The election which was scheduled for Sunday, September 30 was moved till..

More here
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/breaking-imo-apc-crisis-police.html

Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has called for the collaborative effort of all Nigerians to build the country of our dreams.


The governor who made the call in his independence anniversary message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, noted that a better Nigeria is possible if we do away with acrimony, strife and politics of bitterness which remains the bane of our national growth".

“Despite what seems to be gloomy economic outlook in this country, political and social challenges, protests and agitations fueled by obvious cases of marginalization of some sections of the country, particularly the South-East Geopolitical Zone, I am confident that we are capable of being stronger together if we make the virtues of love, fairness and equity our watchwords.

"I therefore call on every patriotic Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic, political and religious inclinations, to take retrospective look at our country..."
More here...
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/nigeria-58-ikpeazu-calls-for.html

Report reaching us says the main market in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has been set ablazed at the early hours of October 1st when the country is celebrating her independence day.



This coming less that 48hours after suspected herdsmen reportedly invaded Okpoga community in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State killing no fewer than 6 persons.


More here...
http://www.theeasterntelegraph.com/2018/10/breaking-bomb-explosion-rocks-benue.html

Breaking News

All traditional rulers in Abia State have endorsed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for re-election in 2019. The traditional rulers from all autonomous communities in the state cited good Performance in office, Equity in Abia State, prevailing Peace and need to allow the governor continue his hope giving projects in the state for another 4 years.

Below is the communique endorsed on behalf of Ndi Eze Abia State by the Chairmen of all 17 LGAs Council of Ndi Eze and the Chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Eberechi Dick.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS AT A MEETING HELD AT ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS SECRETARIAT, MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHIEFTAINCY AFFAIRS, OGURUBE LAYOUT, UMUAHIA ON FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER, 2018.

COMMUNIQUE
At a general meeting of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers held at Abia State Council of Traditional Ruler’s Secretariat, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogurube layout, Umuahia and presided over by His Eminence, Eze Dr. Eberechi Dick JP, Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and attended by the Principal Officers and the seventeen Advisory Committee Chairmen and the entire Council on Friday 28thSeptember, 2018, the meeting reviewed the political situation in Abia State, the relative peace, harmony, developmental strides, the rotation of the Governorship seat among the three Senatorial zones, and the series of adoptions of Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhDfor the 2019 General Election including but not limited to the following:
1. The adoption of Governor Victor Okezie IkpeazuPhD by the two blocs that make up Abia State-Ukwana Ngwa bloc and Old Bende Bloc. Both have held rallies adopting him for the wonderful job he has done within the period under review despite distractions and court cases.
2. The entire Abia State Market Associations have equally adopted Governor Victor Okezie IkpeazuPhD as their sole candidate come 2019 General Election because of his love, affection and interest towards them.
3. The Abia State Landlords Association has equally thrown their weight behind the re-election of Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD come 2019, as a result of his humane disposition, benevolence and care towards them.
4. The Abia State Transport Association in conjunction with Okada Riders and Tricycle Operators has at the same time chosen Governor Victor Okezie IkpeazuPhD as their choice for 2019 election.
5. The Association of Nigerian Students, Abia State Chapter has unequivocally expressed their preference for Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD as the man of the moment.
6. The Civil/Public Servants of Abia State are singing the same song that Governor Victor OkezieIkpeazu PhD should be allowed to do his second term for meeting his statutory obligations towards them.
From the foregoing, and based on the wisdom of the founding fathers as enshrined in the Abia Charter of Equity in which Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia North governed Abia State between 1999-2007 (8 years), Chief T. A. Orji from Abia central governed Abia State between 2007 to 2015 (8 years). In the spirit of this equity, Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD should be allowed to do his eight ( years. His case should not be different because all equities are in his favour. More so, he has done excellently well.
Consequently, we the Traditional Rulers from all the Autonomous Communities of Abia State do hereby re-affirm the positions earlier taken by the above bodies, Associations, Unions and Interest Groups by adopting Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD as the sole candidate for the 2019 Governorship Election in the overall interest of peace, equity, harmony and peaceful co-existence among the people of God’s Own State.
We so unanimously agreed.

Signed:

1. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE L. A. WOGU
CHAIRMAN, ABA NORTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

2. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE V. U. ASONYE
CHAIRMAN, ABA SOUTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

3. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE LINUS MBAH NTOH
CHAIRMAN, AROCHUKWU TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

4. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE ENGR. PATRICK UDE
CHAIRMAN, BENDE TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

5. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE C. U. EJIRIKA
CHAIRMAN, IKWUANO TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

6. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE J. N. NWABEKE
CHAIRMAN, ISIALA NGWA NORTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

7. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE P. N. OKPANKU
CHAIRMAN, ISIALA NGWA SOUTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

8. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE EZO UKANDU
CHAIRMAN, ISUIKWUATO TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

9. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE F. M. IKPEAZU
CHAIRMAN, OBINGWA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL


10. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE K. K. OGBU (IV)
CHAIRMAN, OHAFIA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

11. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE M. C. MBAOGU
CHAIRMAN, OSISIOMA NGWA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

12. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE H. N. UGWUALA
CHAIRMAN, UGWUNAGBO TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

13. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE IKEAGWUCHI EKEKE
CHAIRMAN, UKWA EAST TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

14. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE G. C. UKANNA
CHAIRMAN, UKWA WEST TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

15. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE PST. PHILIP AJOMIWE
CHAIRMAN, UMUAHIA NORTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

16. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE G. C. ONWUKA
CHAIRMAN, UMUAHIA SOUTH TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

17. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE (PROF) S. I. NWANKWO
CHAIRMAN, UMUNNEOCHI TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

18. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE ELDER S. A. OKORIE
SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN,
ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

19. …………………………………………….........................................
HRM EZE G. C. CHIONYE (PhD.)
FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN,
ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

20​…………………………………………….........................................
HIS EMINENCE EZE (DR) EBERECHI N. DICK (JP)
CHAIRMAN, ABIA STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS


https://www.facebook.com/119961132055926/posts/254829218569116/

The Flagellation and the Herb

My attention has been drawn to an article published at the back page of The SunNewspaper of 5th March, 2018 by a friend who thought I was still with Dr. Alex Otti doing the propaganda stuff for him, and probably with a changed name. The article entitled: Is Abia Elite ready for Good Governance? which is a virtualadvertorial took a swipe at the government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu describing it as directionless and a great disappointment. It consequently chided the ‘Abia Elite’ for keeping quiet, and accusing some of them particularly the cerebral Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa of engaging in Afghanistan journalism.

I have chosen to respond to the issues raised for only one reason. The writer, Elder Dan Imo, a well-known Ukwa/Ngwa brother with an enviable political profile greatly extolled the virtues of conscience and commitment as the benchmark of journalism. With the benefits of hindsight, I also presume that the article was published with the prior knowledge andapproval of Dr. Alex Otti.

It would appear to me that the APGA and its leadership in Abia are wobbling and groping for some straws to clutch on in their effort to steady their gait. The massive deployment of earth-moving equipment all over Abia State and particularly in Aba appears to have triggered panic within the opposition. The lamentations of Elder Dan Imo which he dubbed ‘gloom and doom’ are at total variance with the prevailing mood in the Abia of today. With hispreachments on candor and conscience one had expected him to make a clean breast of the facts on ground. Frankly speaking and conscientiously too, there is widespread hope that the sun is on the rise again on the Abia horizon. The perception you get from Abians of all walks of life is that the governor has given a good account of himself so far, given the avalanche of odds against him on assumption of office.


Yes, the Abia landscape was littered with decayed infrastructure, some dating back to over a decade of disrepair. But what do we see today? The performance rating of Dr. Ikpeazu’s government on security, trade and commerce, small scale industry, healthcare delivery, general infrastructural facelift and style of administration are very, very impressive and appears to have depleted the arsenal of the opposition. Through his numerous interactive media sessions, the governor has endeared himself to even his critics as an open and accountable leader. I particularly score him high on this point.

It is not in my character to praise mortal men who are prone to errors and misjudgments and this may partly account for why I have often found myself in the opposition. But as the propaganda henchman of Dr. Alex Otti in the 2015 governorship elections, I owe a duty to my conscience. We in the APGA then never believed that what we see today could be possible. I was the flagellation, but I now see myself as the herb having noticed the change in direction. As Oginga Odinga, foremost Kenyan nationalist and statesman would put it, it is not yet Uhuru. But I see hope and I’m excited at the prospect of Dr. Ikpeazu continuing this way.

Considering where we were, where we are now, and where we seem to be headed it would amount to crass dishonesty, or better still journalism without conscience to label Dr. Ikpeazu’s administration directionless or a great disappointment. A good propaganda is not built on publicity stunt alone, it must resonate with the minds of the people to be effective. Elder Imo did not point at any specific deficiency he noticed. He simply generalized, ruefully reminding us of the cluelessness and infantile APC led federal government which lacks the capacity and ability to pilot the affairs of our dear nation beyond the naked quest for power.


Having worked with Dr. Alex in the last general elections in Abia, and having regards to the fact that he may wish to present himself again for election, I choose to refrain from comments or assessments that may be injurious to his aspiration. Of course I do not claim to know of any skeleton in the cupboard of his personal life. It is given unto men to aspire, and in every man’s chest there is desire. But much as the heart prompts a man, the head should act as the check-valve. My take is that there is value in all human experience. Failure to achieve a particular goal often draws us closer to our true life purpose and mission. The Jimmy Carters of this world may not be rated amongst the past great presidents of America, but they have carved a niche for themselves having achieved near sainthood in their unique contributions to relieving suffering humanity on a global scale.

Today Abia is on the fast lane of recovery, thanks to Dr. Ikpeazu and the committed members of his team. And also thanks to the APGA challenge in the last general elections which may have spurred the present administration to action. The opposition, like the prosecuting counsel in a court of law, must always arm itself with relevant and admissible evidence. Trying to concession the role of the opposition to the Abia elite amounts to some tacit admission of no evidence. I am convinced that Dr. Ikpeazu, the governor is passionate about the rapid transformation of our state, Abia. I am also convinced that the article prodding the Abia elite to descend into the arena was written in bad faith. We all could do more for the state if our sincere desire is to put Abia first. And this is the challenge facing us in Abia today, the challenge which Ndi Anambra have collectively embraced as their cardinal developmental ethos, in spite of party differences.

By:
Dr. Moses Ayo Orji
A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance
in Abia State & Friend of Dr. Alex Otti.

Okezie Ikpeazu: When Performance Justifies Equity and Deserves Continuity (2)

By Jude Ndukwe

In a related development, it was reported in the newspapers that ravaging floods have killed 242 people, displaced 327,052 persons and destroyed 9,276 houses as at Monday, September 24, 2018. While one commiserates with the victims of this disaster, it is gratuitous to note that Abia State is one of the only two states throughout the federation not affected by the rampaging flood. 34 out of the 36 states of the federation are yet to finish counting their losses while Abians have gone about their normal businesses with the rare opportunity of being in a position to sympathise with fellow citizens from other parts of the country because the State is flood-free thanks to the proactive measures put in place by the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, through his quality projects and flood-proof mechanisms in place in the state that have insulated Abia and Abians from the destructive activities of flooding despite Aba in particular and Abia in general being on a low land and in the belt of heavy rainfall.

But for his vision, probably tens would have been washed away, hundreds displaced and even hundreds more properties destroyed with people’s sources of livelihood perpetually affected.

On the education front, other states have since been wondering how it is that Abia State has continued to maintain first position in WASCE for three years back to back viz: 2015, 2016 and 2017, while the ranking of that of 2018 is still being awaited. For those who are wondering how Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has been able to achieve this great feat, they should not wonder too far.

Because of his well thought out policies in the State’s education sector which take their root in the fact that the governor himself is an acclaimed scholar, a PhD holder in Biological Pharmacology since the age of 30, Abia State school enrolment rate has moved very astronomically high from a paltry 150,000 when he resumed office to a historical 600,000 per annum today. Part of the reason for this is because Abia remains the only State in the entire federation that feeds all its primary school pupils from primary 1 – 6 without any exception.

While the federal government took over feeding of pupils from primary 1 – 3 which Abia state had already started earlier, Dr Ikpeazu for very sound reasons continued with the feeding of pupils from primary 4 – 6. The results of this are self-evident.

The regular training and retraining programme for Abia teachers handled by a renowned Australian consultancy firm to always bring the teachers up to speed with the latest developments in their profession and equip them adequately for the challenges of satisfactorily handling their students is another policy whose results reflect brightly in WASCE for the State.

As at today, 304 new classroom blocks have been built across the state while 112 of them have been provided with the needed furniture. The others are on course to receive theirs.

The infrastructural development in the state is unprecedented. Currently, the governor has completed and delivered 70 verifiable roads of strategic importance to the people and the state while 80 others have reached different stages of completion. The roads are fitted with wide and durable drainage systems such that have helped to avert flooding disasters currently ravaging the country.

The quality of the governor’s mindset is reflected in the revamped Enyimba International Stadium where the new playing turf provided by Okezie Ikpeazu has been adjudged the best in the country with another set of floodlights and toilets that were never there constructed. With the now world class stadium, Enyimba International FC is back on track to reclaiming its place of pride in African football and restore the sporting joy of the good people of the state.

On healthcare, the Dial-a-Doc Telehealth Initiative of the Okezie administration is both novel and effective in catering for the health needs of indigenes and residents of the state who can have access to world class medical attention in the comfort of their homes just by dialing some dedicated numbers. Apart from this, General Hospitals that had hitherto gone moribund like the one in Aba have been revived and made functional while new ones are being built to further bring healthcare nearer the people for those who might have a need for medical attention physically.

In no distant time, Abia shall soon become a State looked up to by the country to feed her. This is because Abia State government agricultural policies are already yielding results with over 2.5 million high yielding palm tenera species have already been distributed to famers in the state with a target of distributing 7.5 million of the species to Abians by the end of 2018. This is in addition to result-oriented innovations in other areas of agriculture.

Today, investors are trooping to Abia rushing to have a bite on the cherry of the new frontier for business in Africa in particular and the world in general which Abia State under Ikpeazu has become. Even President Muhammadu Buhari testified to this fact when he acknowledged that the world’s largest textile manufacturers, the Ruyi Group, confirmed to him that they are already investing in Aba, Abia State commercial nerve centre, courtesy of the governor.

In Igbo language, it is often said that when a road is good, it would be used twice and even more by the people.

Let me conclude this piece with the instructive words of Michael Porter: “Finally, strategy must have continuity. It can’t be constantly reinvented”. From the foregoing, it is obvious to all and sundry that Ikpeazu’s strategies are working, Abians do not need it to be reinvented, hence, they clamour loudly for their darling governor to continue beyond 2019! (Concluded)


https://www.facebook.com/119961132055926/posts/254371308614907/

RT. HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA CON.

Imo 2018 Governorship Primaries: Mischief Makers And Their Misguided Propaganda.

My attention has been drawn to a spate of misleading, and sponsored publications targeted at my respectable relationship with the leadership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and my personal integrity.

While thanking the authors for the unsolicited publicity, let me refer them to section 25 (subsection 1) of the constitution of the PDP as amended in 2017 on the composition and processes of emergence of delegates to the State congresses. Congratulatory letters to delegates is only a harmless canvassing process.

Unfortunately, in the last few days, these political jobbers have inundated the social media and even penetrated the ranks of some otherwise respected top party chieftains to further their mischief. But their laughable claim that I boast of controlling the National Chairman and that the party heirachy has chosen a particular presidential candidate gives them out as hired tools of destabilization within the PDP.

I am an avowed believer in a transparent electoral process and will encourage our party leadership and membership not to be distracted by this cheap blackmail. It is, however, curious that some otherwise respected members of our party are citing these obviously misleading publications as their reason for fighting against Port Harcourt as the National Convention Venue. Let me state unequivocally that the allegations are false, and I never made the alleged statement at the so-called delegate meeting or at any other place.

Our Constitution in section 33 (sub section 1) as amended in 2017 deals with the composition of the National Convention which elects the Presidential candidate of the party in accordance with Section 50 sub section (1) (2) (a) of the same PDP constitution. My support for any aspirant is only limited to one vote.

Every discerning political observer can easily agree that this desperate campaign of calumny against my person is sponsored by a certain governorship aspirant in my state who has given us an impression to doubt his intents.

It is important to alert our party leadership and membership that this same group, only last week sponsored a dangerous legal process against our party which was foiled.

More than ever before, we must remain focused and vigilant as we match towards reclaiming our lost mandate.

Long live the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON

26th September 2018

ALEX OTTI AND HIS CANKERWORM LOVE FOR NDI ABIA.

When a man is too desperate, he sees nothing but himself. That is the case of Alex Otti. His desperation is driving him crazy that he sees nothing but himself.

Alex Otti, an Arochukwu man who out of political selfishness and greed denied his LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ORIGIN, is a man who has never impacted in the life of those he claim to have come from their LGA(IsialaNgwa South). His love for Ngwa and Abians is as fake as anything.

As a former bank manager for years, former Bank director for years, Alex Otti never employed any single soul from Umuehim Nvosi, never sponsored students(scholarship scheme), never came home for any season to have a get together with his people as he called them, never called the youths and ask what he can do for them.
This is the same Otti that never took it as something in giving his people light, but when the chips was down, he drew the high tension wire across to his house without stepping it down for others but he took it directly to his house.

During the period he was building his house, the tipper, caterpillars and other heavy trucks damaged the entire road which Alex promised to fix immediately after building his house and till today, that road is still there, bad and unkept and our almighty lover of Abia known as Alex Otti is busy flying in and out with his helicopter.

Alex Otti is wicked, greedy and some times I weep when those that doesn't know him come up with the stories of how Otti will build Abia. A man who can not build a small village, a man who can not use the connection and power he has to empower his people, can such a man build Abia? No!

Pictures below was taken yesterday. The road that leads to the house of our dear governorship aspirant Alex Otti.
If the likes of Alex Otti becomes the governor of Abia State, the entire Abia will be like the front of his compound.

Alex Otti is a political disaster whose love for Abians is made of cankerworms.

Stop Insulting Secondus, PDP Group Warns Senator SamDaddy Anyanwu.

Embattled governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, in Imo State, Senator Samuel Anyanwu Anyanwu, has been cautioned to desist from threatening the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, over the outcome of the Adhoc Delegates Congresses, held in Imo State, recently.

A group, PDP Mandate Initiative, (PDPMIN) the warning and n reaction to an advertorial in the Daily Sun newspaper of Wednesday, September 26, 2018, wherein, Senator Anyanwu chided Prince Secondus, to stop speaking from both sides of the mouth as regards his complaint over the delegates list in Imo State.

Senator Anyanwu's Campaign Organisation had in the said publication said, "the integrity of the Prince Uche Secondus led national leadership of the PDP calls for serious questioning.... How Prince Uche Secondus reacts to this revelation will tell if indeed WADATA is speaking from both sides of the mouth".

The statement endorsed by Chief Luke Udo Anujiofor(Chairman) and Dr. Peter Claver Akpataku (Secretary), described Senator Anyanwu as exhibiting signs of desperation over his governoship ambition, pointing out that he cannot compel the National Chairman to dance to his whims and caprices.

It said that, it is insulting for Senator Anyanwu, through his Senior Aides and confidants, Chief Obinna Duruaku and Chief Sam Ejiogu, to cast aspersion on the integrity of Prince Uche Secondus led National leadership of our party.

"Senator Anyanwu ought to mind his utterances. If at all he has any issues or problems with Rt. Hon. Ihedioha, he must not visit them on the National Chairman. He should not drag the leadership of our party into it for any reason whatsoever", the group warned.

According to it, "a person laying a complaint, should be polite and civil in his choice of language, rather than sounding boisterous and threatening." It noted that the choice of words in the newspaper advertorial was indecorous and an affront on the National Chairman and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP, pointing out that complaints emanating from the campaign organisation of Senator Anyanwu has become a distraction to the party.

"He is the only one who complains among all the governoship aspirants in our party and in Imo State in general. To us, the issue he is complaining about is neither here nor there, given the fact that he is also guilty of writing letters to delegates in the state. The question now is, how did he know the delegates? There is no doubt about his right to complain, but we detaste the complaints turning into threats, insults and a distraction flto the leadership of our party. His recent conduct has recently made a section of the party, wonder if truly he means we'll for the party and what actually his motives are", the group reiterated.

Okezie Ikpeazu: When Performance Justifies Equity and Deserves Continuity (1)

By Jude Ndukwe

“You need continuity. You need a commitment and continuity” – Jeff Fisher

As the 2019 general elections approach, Abia State is agog as different groups and communities in the stat jostle among themselves to host and celebrate one of their brightest stars, known to some as the “Scholar in Governance”, to others as the “Silent Achiever” and, yet, to some others, as the “Caterpillar Revolutionist” for his many sides rolled into the singular vision of making Abia great and prosperous.

Following his sterling performance which has elicited joy and restored the hope of Abians in a bright future having left footprints of quality projects and strategic policies in the sand of time, it is only natural, and fitting, for Abians of different affiliations to send out a clarion call to the governor, first in appreciation, and then to remind him that under no circumstance would they allow him to abandon them halfway having brought them thus far in the journey towards growth and evidential development, hence, the dominating calls for him to respect their wish of leading the State till 2023.

Just like the American, Jeff Fisher said, Abians know that the State is in need of an uncommon commitment to their welfare, the type being shown by their governor, and have committed to support him all the way. But then, who wouldn’t?

Right from the day he assumed office, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD, settled down to work immediately knowing full well that the expectations of the people were high and nothing short of excellent performance would satisfy their sweet souls and fill their gaping hope.

Ikpeazu therefore established critical areas of life which Abians needed urgent intervention in and set them as Development Pillars for his administration with the corresponding Enablers to achieve the set objectives.

Since no meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, the governor embarked on a head-on collision course with criminals in the state with the aim of ridding Abia of all violent crimes that had given the State a bad name. Before now, Abia had been known as a state where armed robbers kidnappers, rapists, cultists, ritualists etc found comfort. Some of these criminals even committed crimes in other states and fled to Abia to escape from the long arms of the law and or to enjoy proceeds of their illicit activities. This did not only make Abians sleep with one eye, it also made them sleep with their hearts in their mouths.

With Okezie Ikpeazu, this is now a thing of the past. With the peace and security enjoyed in Abia today, it is very easy for naysayers to forget where we were before Ikpeazu came on board and where we are today after he successfully tackled those name-spoiling crimes in a novel but aggressive manner within a short time of coming to power.

He invested massively in the security architecture of the State, procuring a massive 35 number operational vehicles fitted with modern communications gadgets to further equip the security agencies in the state. The uncommon adroitness with which he has been able to introduce and sustain synergy among the several security agencies operating in the state is another loud testimony to his human management skills.

In an official release by the National Bureau of Statistics last year for violent crime rates recorded in the country in 2016, Abia State recorded the second least rate only after Katsina. When one considers that this feat was achieved in just one year of his coming to power, one would appreciate the more why Abians are stumbling over themselves to get him to go for a second term. Safety first, safety always!

Similarly, in a widely publicized and comprehensive report by the Vanguard newspapers on March 11, 2018, it was recorded that in the first ten weeks of 2018, 1,351 people were murdered in one violent crime or the other throughout the federation. Of this sad number, Abia was among the few states throughout the federation that recorded one death, while a state like Anambra already had 18 deaths from violent crimes at this short time.

Abia has however since taken firm position as the safest state in the country following recent violent deaths in the states competing with her for this most coveted and enviable status while Ikpeazu has maintained the now impregnable security of the state.

Despite his sterling performance in this sector, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu was not going to rest on his oars. On his return from Rwanda where he attended the 2018 Transform Africa Summit in May 2018, the governor immediately proceeded to hand over another set of brand new operational vehicles to the police in Umuahia, the state capital. To further boost the morale of the police as he continues to assist them in their duties, the governor promised to help them complete the building of their Zone 9 headquarters in Umuahia.

The safety, peace and security Abia is enjoying today are not accidental. They are the result of the continued commitment of the governor to the welfare of the people. That there are no political tensions in the state today is attributable to Ikpeazu’s very large heart that has tolerated with equanimity the continued bitter provocations of opposition elements. Abians are free and their rights respected to the letter by the governor no matter how belligerent and vitriolic the opposition has become against him in their desperate but futile attempts to distract him.

Abians cannot take for granted the fact that properties including radio stations and houses belonging to people of dissenting voices are being demolished with reckless abandon in other states thereby creating undue political tensions and giving root to crime and criminality, Ikpeazu has never and will never embark on such actions. (To be continued)

https://www.facebook.com/119961132055926/posts/253681155350589/

Why Imo Needs Ihedioha

By Aic Akwarandu

In the past seven years, Imo State has witnessed the worst kind of leadership ever experienced since it was created in February 1976. What makes the situation particularly sad is that Imo people actually got what they wanted. In 2011, they saw a ‘Messiah’ in Rochas Okorocha who tricked everybody. From eating fried plantain along the streets to moving around on Keke NAPEP or riding on Okada, Okorocha played the kind of politics that could easily bamboozle those who did not know his antecedents. At that point, Okorocha was very vocal with his signature quote: “Politicians think about the next election while leaders think about the next generation”.


Despite being a famous quote by James C Freeman Clark, a renowned American Theologian and writer, Okorocha appropriated it as his own and even mounted a billboard for the quote at Okigwe Road Roundabout. As it would happen, the people of Imo neither asked questions about Okorocha who deceived the unwary. Today, we are all suffering for that wrong choice.


However, we cannot continue to lament that unfortunate episode. As the 2019 election draws closer, political parties have started the process of nominating the various candidates who will fly their flags. Therefore, it’s important to once again remind Ndi Imo about the true character of the man who has presented himself in all ramifications as the unity candidate. He is no other than “that Green Gap Man”, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives who Okorocha dreads.


The Mbutu Mbaise born politician has remained consistent even after the 2015 election went against popular expectations. For those who monitored that election and had better knowledge of it, Ihedioha was coasting home to victory before some desperate manipulators moved in. By the close of voting on that very day, the results coming in from Orlu Zone, Owerri Zone and parts Okigwe Zone placed Ihedioha on a very comfortable lead. It was over the night that some agents of darkness connived with Okorocha to subvert the peoples’ mandate. But in a way, I believe God wanted to use Okorocha’s second term to expose his true character. Now, Imo people can no longer be hoodwinked by those who eat corn on the street to secure their votes without any plan for them or their children.

The pertinent question therefore remains: As 2019 beckons, are we going to be accessing a candidate based on mundane things? For me, what we should be looking at a candidate who has the capacity to transform Imo State, someone who has remained consistent with his message. Only Ihedioha fits the bill. In 2014, he met a large gathering of Imo leadership and critical stakeholders in all sectors and across all professions at The Jesus Never Fails Arena New Owerri, to present his manifesto, titled “Together we shall Rebuild Imo State”.


The sad news in Imo today is that four years after, instead of the document to lose some meanings, there is dire need to make more inputs while the old issues are still sustained. What it means is that four years after, instead of moving forward, we are going backwards. If anything, the stewardship of Okorocha has set the state back many decades and on that majority of Imo people are agreed. Ihedioha’s ambition is therefore borne out of his desire to begin to right the wrongs in the state, a task for which he is capable.


Since the end of 2015 election and even before then, Ihedioha has remained one of the consistent voices who have been speaking for the people. He has continued to speak against the bad leadership witnessed in Imo. Going forward, what the state needs is someone like Ihedioha who has not only remained on their side but has put together a strong team to change the fortunes of the state.


Meanwhile, it is on record that 40 percent of passable roads in Imo today are those attracted by Ihedioha. The roads scattered around the state, especially in Ikeduru, Mbaise, Ngor Okpala, Ihitte Uboma, Owerri West-Ohaji Egbema, etc, were products of Ihedioha’s interventions as House of Representatives Deputy Speaker. If therefore elected the next governor, the state will witness what it means to have a man with capacity at the helm of affairs.


Given his vast experience in the executive as a former presidential aide in the executive and at the House where he mastered the art of law making, there is doubt that Imo under the watch of Ihedioha will be administered with all level of decency and administrative decorum. And the people will begin to see the positive effects of governance within and around them.


So, for the people of Imo State, the search is over. No manifesto beats the one that Ihedioha parades. It touches all aspect of our existence as a state. It is simple, realistic but very tasking. Ihedioha’s priority is to serve the people diligently as he has always done. With him at the helm of affairs, Imo State shall rise again.

Akwarandu wrote in from Owerri, Imo State

CAF Cup: Ikpeazu hails Enyimba for trouncing Rayon

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has congratulated Enyimba International FC of Aba for beating Rayon Sports FC of Rwanda in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition, at the Enyimba International FC stadium in Aba.

Governor Ikpeazu, who was at the Stadium to watch the People’s Elephant trounce Rayon 5-1, said he was impressed with the excellent performance of the players who he said showed determination to win the game from the beginning of the game.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Governor Ikpeazu also commended the management team of the club, supporters and residents of Aba who came out en masse to cheer the team to victory.

The Governor enjoined Enyimba players to go all out and win the continental trophy as a way of appreciating the state government for providing a world class pitch for them as well as their ever loyal and supportive fans across the nation.

Governor Ikpeazu also promised to provide necessary support to the team as they play in the semi final stage of the competition as the only surviving Nigeria club side in CAF competition.

Enyinnaya Appolos
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
24/0/9/2018

Direct Touch Approach As A Pragmatic Lesson In Grassroots' Development Taught By Engr Chinedu Orji:
By Sir Don Ubani;KSC,JP,
Okwubunka of Asa.
22nd September, 2018.

Elections are among the characteristic features of any liberal democracy. By 507 B C, the Athenian Leader; Cleisthenes, had introduced a system of political reforms he called 'demokratia', which meant rule by the people. Demokratia ,when translated, implied rule of the people through their chosen representatives.

In Nigeria, through various constitutional conferences and delegations, 'demokratia' got berthed on 1st October, 1960, when the British Union Jack was lowered and in its place the Nigerian Green-White-Green Flag was hoisted.

One major sustainable source of assurance democracy draws from is the inalienable rights of the people, that is the electorate, to judge and determine if their elected representatives are worth their confidence or otherwise.

Expectations of the electorate from their representatives may vary from one political clime to another. The projections would, however, be contingent upon such factors as; intellectual development of the electorate, level of industrialization of the society, the strength of the rule of law, security and gross domestic product.

Here in Nigeria, owing to their unique experiences, it seems to appear that a good number of the electorate has lost confidence in representative leadership.

A society that is embedded in abject penury will hardly have confidence in its elected leadership. In the first instance, for one to be elected a leader, one must not only appreciate the predicaments of one's society but must have the capacity to pull one's people from poverty to prosperity.

This is why the electorate must, of necessity, be able to know and appreciate , at any given time, the pedigree and quality of aspirants who seek their mandate. An electorate that mistakenly gives it's mandate to a pipsqueak should not complain later of having weak and ineffective representative.

Apart from general incapacity on the part of many representatives, many of them develop wings and fly away from the electorate no sooner than they had been elected. All the promises made by many elected representatives during electioneering campaigns are forgotten as soon as they are elected and sworn-in.

It is this scenario that has avoidably led to loss of confidence among the electorate. No doubt, this loss is a major threat to democracy in Nigeria.

As a Governor in Abia State, it is well known that Senator T A Orji rolled out a variety of empowerment programmes. Because of trust he, ordinarily, should have in his close aides, he released most of the empowerment materials by proxy.

Unfortunately, many of those who had been trusted with the responsibility of making sure the empowerment items reached their targeted destinations, allowed selfishness to overshadow their mission. It was not a good experience.

In Umuahia-Central State Constituency, there is a dynamic young politician that, out of studied experience of what happened to his father and immediate past Governor of Abia State; Senator T A Orji, has successfully introduced a paradigm shift in the relationship between a representative and the electorate.

The politician under review is the Member representing the good people of Umuahia-Central State Constituency and the Majority Leader in Abia State House of Assembly, Engr Chinedu Orji.

Relying on the wisdom that once beaten, twice shy, Engr Orji introduced what he calls 'Direct Touch'.

By this Direct Touch approach in dealing with the electorate in his constituency, Engr Chinedu Orji now relates directly with any or every member of Umuahia-Central State Constituency.

He has completely jettisoned the idea of reaching any member of his constituency by proxy or delegation. Whoever has a need for his attention now gets it straight from Engr Orji.

Through this systematic pragmatic approach, Engr Orji has been able to assist not only several individual members of his constituency but equally the Various communities, groups and organizations in the constituency.

Engr Orji has succeeded in establishing many life-touching projects for his constituents.

His scholarship programme for students from the constituency has directly affected in the most positive manner such students.

His vision for the youths of Umuahia-Central State Constituency has translated to the youths being trained and empowered in various skills.

Engr Orji does not leave any sector of his constituency's economy unattended. He spreads his Direct Touch approach to the health, trade and investment and even churches.

Yet, Engr Orji gives maximum attention to his primary duties of representation, law making and oversight functions.

Engr Chinedu Orji has brought an innovation into the relationship between the ruler and the ruled. He has, therefore, bridged the dangerous communication gap between the representative and the electorate.

A random poll on Umuahia-Central State Constituency today shows that the collective confidence of the electorate has been rekindled and come 2019 election, their vibrant youthful representative will have their overwhelming support for his re-election into the State House of Assembly.

Politicians from other constituencies in Abia State and even beyond are advised to take a cue from Engr Orji's Direct Touch approach and, by so doing, enhance their relationship with the electorate and, therefore, deepen our 'demokratia'.

Okwubunka of Asa.

ONE GOOD TURN PAVES WAY FOR ANOTHER; ISIALANGWA JOSTLES FOR IKPEAZU SECOND TERM

On Saturday, the 22nd of September 2018, all roads will lead to Umuacha primary school as the entire people of Isialangwa South LGA roll out their drums in an unalloyed and unflinching support for the reelection of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

This unprecedented movement will have all kingmakers, women and youths of the LGA present and will be championed by a front line politician and elder statesman in Abia State, Dr. Gershom Amuta. Guests are expected to be seated by 11.am.

Recall that just recently, the traditional rulers of Arochukwu had denied having presented any of their sons to contest for the office of the Governor in Abia State and have unanimously spoken that it will be an act of impersonation and usurpation for anybody, whatsoever to claim to have received their gubernatorial adoption and blessing.

Above all, the slated Saturday event at Umuacha Primary School, remains a tip of the iceberg as many more groups in Abia continue to jostle for appropriate dates to officially adopt the Governor for the continuity of "the silent achiever", in a verbatim language of the PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus during his latest visit to the Governor

How Much More Insults will Abia Leaders Endure from Alex Otti?

~ Ayodele Moses Orji

Alex Otti, the defeated governorship candidate of APGA at the 2015 election in Abia State, organized a rally to announce his second bid to occupy Government House, Umuahia, and Abia Stakeholders and leaders who were the same people that endorsed our charter of equity that zoned the Governorship of the state to Abia South Senatorial district and know for a fact that Otti is from Arochukwu, refused to attend his rally and because of this, he attacked them scurrilously, branding them “bloody tonic drinkers".

Hear him: “The way it works is that after receipt of Federal Allocation from Abuja, the state shares a certain percentage of the money amongst its listed elites, before providing for salaries and other government commitments. So, the blood tonic is, believe it or not, a first line charge, before any other expense is considered by the state. By sharing public money amongst them, the silence of the elites would have been bought, so that those administering the state would have a field day to do as they wished. Any wonder why, no matter how bad things become, you
will hardly hear anything from these “stakeholders” and even when you did, it would be the singing of praises of the administration or the making of excuses over why things are going bad. Sometimes, the excuses would go from blaming previous administrations to blaming the populace itself for being difficult to govern.”

According to him, the following leaders of Abia State share the state’s monthly revenue among themselves on equally a monthly basis, as “blood(y) tonic”, and as a result refused to support his aspiration to govern the state.

1. Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former Chief of General Staff
2. Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President
3. General Ike Nwachukwu, Former Governor and former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
4. Eze Ogo (Dr) Anagha Ezikpe, Chairman of Abia elders Council
5. Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, former Governor and member, Supreme Military Council
6. Chief B. B. Apugo, member APC Board of Trustees
7. Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, former National Chairman of PDP
8. Prof Anya O. Anya, former Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia,m
9. Chief Theo Nkire
10. Elder Emmanuel Adaelu
11. Prof J C Ogbonna
12. Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Chairman of NDDC
13. Ambassador Empire Kanu
14. Ambassador Uzodinma Okpara
15. Lady Victoria Akanwa
16. Lady Adanma Okpara
17. Rev (Dr) Uma Ukpai
18. Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu
19. Chief Reagan Ufomba
20. Chief Damian Ozurumba
21. Chief Tony Ukasanya
22. Elder Chibuike Nwokeukwu

Instructively, some of these great men and women supported Otti’s ill fated desperate bid for the same office in 2015 but have since decided to back Governor Ikpeazu because of his sterling performance with very limited resources.

Early this year, when the people of Ukwa Ngwa clan gathered at Isiala Ngwa to endorse Governor Ikpeazu for second term in office, the same Alex Otti attacked them and called their leaders “marabouts and political jobbers”.

How much more insults will the people of Abia State and their leaders endure because Otti desperately desires to govern them?

Who will tell Otti that enough is enough of his political desperation?

Dr Moses Ayodele Orji
Former Director of Propaganda, Alex Otti 2015 Campaign team

ONE GOOD TURN PAVES WAY FOR ANOTHER; ISIALANGWA JOSTLES FOR IKPEAZU SECOND TERM

On Saturday, the 22nd of September 2018, all roads will lead to Umuacha primary school as the entire people of Isialangwa South LGA roll out their drums in an unalloyed and unflinching support for the reelection of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

This unprecedented movement will have all kingmakers, women and youths of the LGA present and will be championed by a front line politician and elder statesman in Abia State, Dr. Gershom Amuta. Guests are expected to be seated by 11.am.

Recall that just recently, the traditional rulers of Arochukwu had denied having presented any of their sons to contest for the office of the Governor in Abia State and have unanimously spoken that it will be an act of impersonation and usurpation for anybody, whatsoever to claim to have received their gubernatorial adoption and blessing apart from their adoption of Governor Ikpeazu.

Above all, the slated Saturday event at Umuacha Primary School, remains a tip of the iceberg as many more groups in Abia continue to jostle for appropriate dates to officially adopt the Governor for the continuity of "the silent achiever", in a verbatim language of the PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus during his latest visit to the Governor

JUSTIFYING THE PLACE OF EQUITY IN 2019 GUBER RACE IN ABIA

~ Chief Isaac Ogbonna

An American singer songwriter Isaac Hayes was more than being philosophical when he said if you enjoy the fragrance of a rose, you must accept the thorns which it bears. Hayes was just saying the obvious on the existence of a price to pay for every successful endeavor.

Having gone through a tortuous life from age five in the hands of his maternal grandparents after the death of his mother, Hayes could be seen as credible on issues of paying price for success. As it stands now, this time tested statement by Hayes has become expedient in Abia State if we are to move on as successful state.

As the election year draws closer, a topical issue that is trending now is that of power sharing for harmonious relationships among the various sections of the state. This has naturally brought up a document that many have described as the way forward for a conducive coexistence of Abians.

Indeed, the Abia Charter of equity has been in place to assuage the fear of domination by any section, as it provides that the Governorship of the state be rotated among the three Geopolitical zones. Accordingly, for some time now, power has expectedly been rotation among the political sections, namely Abia North, Abia central, until the turn of present Abia South.

Of course, it could be recalled that each zone had, in the past, served two terms; therefore, it is just natural that the remaining zone should also have their two terms, for justice to be seen to have being done. On the strength of this, it is expected that the current government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu be allowed to finish two terms before any other zone. Agreed that we are growing up as a State but desire greatness, yet could these be achieved without some show of responsibility and maturity?

Is it really a hard task for one to reason that what is good for the goose is also good sauce for the gander? Of course, this underscores the popular saying that the price of greatness is responsibility, while maturity is a high price to pay for growing up. Indeed, people be free unless they are willing to sacrifice some of their interest to guarantee the freedom of others and as Saul Alinsky would say, the price of democracy is the pursuit of the common good by all for people.

It is not about denying any section of its right to a fair share in the communal pie, neither is it prerogative of any group, more than the collective interest of all, to lord it over the others really justice demands that things should be done reasonably, for there to be peace in the land. That is the reason Martin Luther King Junior once said that human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable, rather every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individual.

The dedicated individuals being referred to are the right thinking people, including those here in Abia, and this has been confirmed by Robert Kennedy quote "The glory of justice and the Majesty of Law are created not just by the Constitution, nor by the Courts, nor by the officers of the Law, nor by the Lawyers, but by the men and women who constitute our society who are the protectors of the Law as they are themselves protected by the Law" unquote.

In Abia today, ahead of 2019 general elections, a lot of aspirants are already making moves and gearing up to convince Abians to vote for them even in the face of glaring evidence of outstanding performance by Governor Ikpeazu.

However, Abians who make out time to visit the completed and ongoing projects embarked upon by Dr. Ikpeazu will be properly informed especially in these days of social media where people are deceived with lies and propaganda.

Indeed, if the many projects and policies initiated by Governor Ikpeazu are realized, Abia will become a business and tourist destination in the coming years. In the words of Abraham Lincoln quote "The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves in their separate and individual capacities" unquote.

In line with the above, Governor Ikpeazu has unburned the hearts of the electorate by embarking on those things they cannot do for the themselves and the community.

Therefore, let Abians know that the beauty of justice would be seen if they allow equity to reign in the State by supporting and working towards actualization of Governor Ikpeazu's political aspiration.

Umuahia- Nigeria
September 17, 2018

Governor Ikpeazu Sees Tomorrow

When we announced that Governor Ikpeazu’s effort at changing the Abia narrative has yielded a $2.5b investment by a Chinese firm, Ruyi Group, the usual crowd poo pooed the news and made all kinds of noise. (See https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/07/abia-govt-signs-mou-with-2-firms-for-construction-of-enyimba-economic-city/)

But we know the quality of Leader we have as the Governor of Abia State.

Two months after the announcement was made, President Buhari visited China to seek investment in Nigeria, without inviting Governor Ikpeazu to go with him, and met the same Chairman of Ruyi Group Governor Ikpeazu had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with on multiple investment in Abia’s Enyimba Economic City and Geometric Power Ltd.

There and then, the Chairman of Ruyi Group informed President Buhari that he is set to invest in Nigeria and has a special bond with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

Impressed and happy with the investment drive of Governor Ikpeazu, the President penned the following lines on returning to Nigeria.

“Just last week, during my visit to China to attend the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, I met with executives of one of the largest cotton and garment companies in the world, who will soon establish operations in Aba.

“Both the Federal Government and the Abia State Government worked hard jointly on this project, to attract this very important investor. The proposed investment will create thousands of jobs for Aba’s vibrant and creative youths.

“I am very excited about this project in Aba, and have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure the investment is actualised within the shortest possible time.”

This project is linked to the expected emergence of Enyimba Economic City near Aba as well as the roll out of steady power at Aba by Geometric.

We appreciate the support of the federal government, led by President M Buhari and our own VP, the “Enyioha" of Ndi Abia, Prof Yemi Osibanjo. Together, the Federal and Abia State Governments are writing new chapters on non partisan collaboration to ensure the good of the people.

This partnership has already delivered steady power supply, on pilot basis, to more than 1,000 shops at Ariaria International Market with the whole area expected to join the project early next year.

Ariaria market is the first ever in Nigeria to have a devoted licensed power generation and distribution company of its own courtesy of the recently issued license.

Enyimba Economic City also enjoys the support of the federal government even though it is a project borne out of Governor Ikpeazu’s deep thinking and focus on developing Abia State. It was among the projects listed in his 2015 campaign manifesto.

Governor Ikpeazu is at the verge of delivering the single biggest new foreign direct investment in Abia in particular, Igbo land and Nigeria in general. He deserves our prayers and support.

#IkpeazuIssaGoal

JOK

https://www.facebook.com/119961132055926/posts/251099325608772/

Ikpeazu visits Isiukwuato erosion site

Abia State State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, in the company of his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aham Uko, visited the erosion site at Nkwonta Village in Isiukwuato LGA of the state...

The Governor promised that palliative will commence immediately...

Abia set to Commence Remediation Work at Isuikwuato Erosion Site

Following the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu dispatching an inter-ministerial team to urgently visit the site of the gully erosion along Isuikwuato-Okigwe federal road, the state Ministry of Environment is set to commence remediation work at the site this weekend.

This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aham Uko, in an interview with newsmen this evening in Umuahia.

According to him, “Our team of Engineers have conducted a thorough evaluation of the Isuikwuato site today and we hope to commence the remediation this weekend”.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, expressed appreciation to the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for his prompt response to the situation along the federal road that links Abia State to Imo and Ebonyi States.

In his words: “This administration is demonstrably focused on responding to the needs of the people of the state who graciously elected Dr Ikpeazu as their Governor and have supported him strongly. While we recognize that the primary responsibility of arresting the gully erosion is constitutionally that of the federal government, the state is ready to intervene to ensure that our people find safe passage way pending when help will come from relevant federal agencies.

“During the last Niger Delta Council held in the State, we took officials of the federal ministry of Niger Delta to that site and pleaded for urgent intervention to save the road from total collapse. Sadly, the gully has progressed very fast and we now have a situation where vehicles cannot pass through that road.

“As a responsible government, we cannot fold our hands and watch our people suffer while waiting for help from Abuja. We are set to undertake palliative work to remedy the situation while still pleading with the federal government to come to our aid by declaring that area and others threatened by rampaging gully erosion as ecological disaster zones with a view to deploying the resources of the country to deliver a permanent solution to the erosion menace at Isuikwuato and other locations in the state", he concluded.

Photo Credit: Abia State Ministry of Environment

Abia Set to Launch "Operation Zero Pothole"

The Abia State Ministry of Works will immediately commence rehabilitation works at various bad spots along key roads in Umuahia, the state capital, and Aba, the commercial nerve center of the state.

The exercise which is code named “Operation Zero Pothole” is aimed at ameliorating the challenges faced by road users along some roads in the designated cities during the current rainy season which makes wholesale reconstruction efforts problematic and non cost effective.

The government wishes to assure residents and visitors that full scale construction work will resume as soon as the rains give way to dry weather conditions.

We appeal for understanding from our people and wish to reaffirm our commitment to ensure that no ongoing project will be abandoned by this administration, as we consider the completion of those projects as a key enabler of our economic development agenda in the state.

Thank you

Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commssioner For Information, Abia State
11/9/18

Re: Isuikwuato gully erosion

The state of Isuikwuato-Okigwe federal road worries Abia State Government led by Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

This administration and others before it have repeatedly drawn the attention of the federal government to the bad state of the road and the threat posed to commuters, farmers and others by the ever expanding gully erosion, in the hope that the relevant agencies of the federal government will intervene to save our people from the trauma they face daily while using the road.

It is important to note that the scope of work required to fix that key stretch of road that connects our people to neighboring Imo and Ebonyi States, requires resources far above what the state government can muster currently.

We therefore call on relevant agencies of the federal government, including NDDC, Ministries of Environment and Works to immediately come to our rescue by performing their constitutional duty of care to the hardworking and peace loving people of Isuikwuato and Abia State through the declaration of the area and others in the state similarly threatened as ecological disaster zones requiring urgent critical intervention.

As a responsible government, we have made interventions to arrest the negative effects of rampaging gully erosions at Imenyi in Bende LGA, Abiriba roundabout in Ohafia LGA and Umuda Isingwu in Umuahia North LGA.

We are willing to work with the federal government and contribute in whatever way possible to tackle the challenge of gully erosion at Isuikwuato as well as other threats at Agu Eze Amaogudu Abiriba etc.

The state ministry of works is currently executing 3 road projects at Isuikwuato; Eluama Amilo Acha and Amino Otamkpa, Ovim-Acha and Ogboro-Amibo Acha roads, which are at various stages of completion.

Governor Ikpeazu has directed that an inter-ministerial committee, including works and environment, visit the area on Wednesday to assess what can be done by the state to ameliorate the problem posed by the rampaging gully.

We wish to call on other well meaning Abians with cords to the federal government to consider the dangers posed to the common people of the area by this natural disaster and lend their voices to the call for an immediate intervention rather than the political point some desperately seek to make.

While we continue to work hard to fix as many key roads as possible within the state, we have never laid claims to fixing all the roads requiring attention in the state within the past 3 years. Yet it is undeniable that we have completed work on 67 roads and are working at more than 94 other road project sites across the state.

As our resource base expectedly improve, we will certainly do much more while also ensuring that we meet other needs of our people who have continued to support the Ikpeazu administration through various means.

Thank you.

Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commissioner For Information, Abia State
10/9/18

Press Release

Postponement of PDP Mega Rally

Following the review of PDP activities at the national level which in turn has affected other planned activities of the party at the State level, we regret to announce the postponement, until further notice, of the announced Abia PDP Mega Rally which was earlier scheduled to hold in Umuahia on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

A new date for the rally shall be announced in due course.

Thank you for your understanding.

Signed: Chief (Mrs) Love Ezema, mni
Acting State Publicity Secretary

THE SECOND COMING OF GOV. OKEZIE IKPEAZU.

By Kingsley Maduforo

The style and disposition of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has made it possible for him to have effective administration, achieve goals, sustain quality and deliver first-rate services to Abians. The constant push in infrastructural development being experienced across the state can only be attributed to the effective and ethical leadership we have in the state. The manner in which Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has carried on with the management of Abia state infrastructural and economic resources for the development of the state shows effectiveness, quality delivery and equity in governance.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu's administration has been fair to all in the delivery of key infrastructure across the state because he knows that Infrastructural development is a key driver of progress and a critical enabler of productive and sustainable economic growth. This has contributed significantly to human development, poverty reduction and increase in economic activities across the state. The emergence of a dedicated leader like Gov. Ikpeazu, has really changed the political history and climate of Abia State. Indeed, Abia State is on the right footing.

Abians are known for their ingenuity and ability to set the pace in various aspects of governance which have paved way for skills, abilities and endowment for them to find expression for nation building, thereby enhancing participatory democracy. Gov. Ikpeazu has recorded many milestones with his infrastructural revolution in the state. From the construction and reconstruction of roads and bridges across the three senatorial zones of the state to the building and rehabilitation of classrooms and laboratories in our schools; from the facelift in our hospitals to the empowerment of our women and youths, and to the making of favourable economic policies that have helped in promotion of Made-in-Aba goods and services, etc. The core of his achievements is not a fairy tale but a reality which is enough to guarantee him a second term in office and 2019 will be another avenue to exercise that franchise, to once again elect Gov. Ikpeazu for his second coming.

In Abia State today, with the unrelenting infrastructural development drive of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and his efforts in pension and salary reforms, there is nothing left for the opposition to fault. Their hunger for power has made them weak, inept. They are no more articulate in their strategies than their resolve to think that they can distract a working government with their poor, cheap propaganda.

For Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Exodus 20 vs 12 is already a reality in his life. The blessings and endorsement of Gov. Ikpeazu by our senior citizens from across Abia state has affirmed his second tenure in the office. The launch of free Home care Initiative for the Senior Citizens in the state is a kudos to his administration. The idea behind the initiative is positioned to improve the health status of families, individuals, especially our elderly citizens across the 17th Local Government of the state. His love for an integrated home care network, provision of quality services designed to meet diverse health care needs of those in the grassroots that cannot get to the hospitals, and the reduction in the number of the elderly that goes to the hospital which is not their natural home, is a welcomed development. The gaint strides of Gov. Ikpeazu in the health care system of the state do not only a testify of his good works but have accelerated his endorsement for a second term bid in office.

The assessment of Gov. Ikpeazu's first term in office as a means of guaranteeing his second term speaks volume. He has dignified governance in Abia State and his policies and programmes have changed the narrative of the state. Despite the prolonged litigations, his rapid developmental feats across the state speak of a man who is eager to get to his destination. Under Gov. Ikpeazu, Abia state has unarguably witnessed meaningful development. The socioeconomic and infrastructural development in the state has accelerated the influx of investors into the state. His exceptional moral virtues and superlative ability in the discharge of his duties has made him receive accolades and votes of confidence as the head of government in Abia state. What more is left? We need to give him our votes come 2019 to head Abia State Government till 2023.


https://www.facebook.com/119961132055926/posts/249633432422028/

5000 APGA members decamp to PDP in Abia State, Says Alex Otti cannot Be Governor


5000 APGA members decamp to PDP in Abia


About 5,000 members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Umuahia South local government area of Abia State, Saturday, dumped the party for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The defected APGA members were led into the PDP by the former Umuahia South local government candidate of APGA in the December 2016 council election in Abia State, Chief Nkemakolam Ogenna.
Speaking with newsmen at the venue of the declaration ceremony in Old Umuahia, Umuahia South local government area, on Saturday, Mr. Ogenna explained that they left their former party due to the internal wrangling at the state chapter of APGA, which had resulted in the party being factionalized in Abia.
He disclosed that they were five thousand in numbers that decamped to the PDP in the state.
According to him, “We massively left the opposition APGA because of the internal crisis within the party”.
“The crisis has made the party at the state get divided. We have Alex Otti faction and Chikwe Udensi-led faction of APGA. It has seriously affected the chances of the party winning 2019 governorship election in Abia”.
“Things are no longer working within APGA. So, we have joined the ruling party, that’s the PDP. PDP is a bigger party. PDP is a national party,with large heart.”
“We are there to complement the efforts of the state governor, who is working tirelessly to transform Abia. We are happy that we have joined PDP”.
Welcoming the APGA decampees, the PDP chairman in Umuahia south local government area, Mr. Ngozi Okezie and the PDP Old Umuahia ward chairman, Ugochukwu Uwaechi, in their separate speeches, thanked the defectors for their courage to identify with the ruling party.
They assured the new PDP members that they will be treated equally and urged them to work for the success of the party in the upcoming 2019 general elections.
DAILY POST reports that prominent leaders and stakeholders of the PDP from Umuahia south including the Executive chairman of the Council, Chief Obioma Ogbulafor attended the event.

Abia returns schools to Assemblies of God Church

Abia State Government has returned East Street Primary School and Clifford Road Primary School, both in Aba, to the Assemblies of God Church, who where the original owners of the schools.

The State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu made the announcement during the 2018 Men’s Day celebration of the Assemblies of God Church, 222 Clifford Road, Aba, in response to the plea made by the church.

He directed the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ikechi Mgbeoji, to liaise with the church authorities to ensure that the hand over process is completed by October 2018.

In their address read by the Secretary of the Men’s Ministry, Deacon David J. Okai, the church passionately pleaded with the Governor to facilitate the return of the schools to their church, a process they said started during the immediate past government in the state, but was stalled due to the leadership crisis in the church then, which has been settled.

“Your Excellency, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu Sir, please on behalf of the entire church, we are appealing with you to approve the recovery of our primary schools; East Street and Clifford road primary schools which were approved by governor T. A. Orji in his tenure, but because of of the Internal misunderstanding we had then, it was withheld. Now that it has been resolved, we plead that you use your good office and give them back to us. This church will never forget you for helping us out. We thank you in anticipation for doing it for us, Your Excellency. Divinity and humanity will never forget you in Jesus name, Amen.”

Responding after the Governor announced the pledge to return the schools, the Assistant District Superintendent of the Church, Rev Don Njoku, thanked the Governor for his kind gesture and assured him that the church will continue to support and pray for his government.

Earlier in his address, the President of the Men’s Ministry of the Church, Deacon Kalu Egbe, applauded the leadership and development strides of the governor and assured him of the support of the men of the church in his determined efforts to positively change the narrative of Aba and Abia State.

Governor Ikpeazu who was received at the Church by Rev (Dr) Ogboso Ejindu, Assistant District Superintendent and the executives of the men’s ministry was accompanied by top Government officials including the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rt Hon. Uzor Azubuike, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, Commisioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Commissioner For Petroleum, Barr Chizuru Kanu and Chairman of Aba South LGA, Chief Emmanuel Emereuwa, later received prayer support from members of the church and a special portrait.

“We call on God to disgrace every
Sanballat and Tobiah fighting against Ikpeazu-Assemblies of God Church

Members of Assemblies of God Church, Ukaegbu road Aba, have prayed for the resounding success of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2019 election and called on God to disgrace his opponents.

According to the district superintendent of the church, Rev Emma Sylva, PhD, who led the prayer, “Governor Ikpeazu fixed our Ukaegbu road among the very first within 100 days of his administration and we gave him the award of “Nehemiah”. Today, we pray that every Sanballat and Tobiah plotting or contending against our Nehemiah will be disgraced in Jesus name.”

The men’s ministry of the church later bestowed on Governor Ikpeazu the award of “Dependable Governor” and called on all their members to support the re-election bid of the Governor.

In his response, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the church for supporting his administration with prayers and promised not to be distracted in his quest to renew and add to the road infrastructure stock of the state.

“We are certainly not where we were in 2015, in terms of road infrastructure but we are aware of the need to do more than we have done because of the need to further improve our road infrastructure.

“We promise our people that we will do much more than we have done already. Others will certainly enjoy what residents of Ukaegbu, Ehere, Umuola and all those living or doing business along the more than 67 completed road projects we have executed are enjoying.”

2019: Aba Landlords adopt Ikpeazu

Owners of houses and shops in Aba, the commercial nerve center of Abia State, under the aegis of Aba Landlords Welfare Association, have thrown their weight behind the 2019 re-election bid of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, by adopting him as their sole candidate for the election, and urge their members in the state to support and vote him for a second term as Governor in 2019.

In a written address read by the secretary of the association, Chief Nkemjika Ibenji, on behalf of the association at the association's general meeting held at the Recreation Club in Aba, the Landlords associate, extol the Governor for his giant strides in the state.

“We are by this gathering moved to solidly, totally, unshakably and whole heatedly support you in your second term bid. You are our Governor come 2019, we adopt you as our sole candidate.

“We want to say thank you for the numerous road projects you have delivered and those you are doing in the state, particularly in Aba.”

Responding, Governor Ikpeazu thanked them for their support since 2015, and promised that he will continue to work hard in other not to disappoint those who support and believe in his government.

“I must thank you for your support to our government since 2015. Nobody can do without landlords, so I thank you for your unalloyed support. Like I said, my promise is that I won’t disappoint or fail. I hold your mandate as Governor with so much regard.

“Let me use this opportunity to say that we are not where we plan to be, but we have made huge progress. I promise you in 2015 that we will do roads that will outlive the life of our administration, that is why we adopted the cement pavement technology with drainage on both sides to ensure quality. This government will continually uphold quality and we solicit your support.”

The Governor used the opportunity of the meeting to expound the achievements and plans of his administration towards the development of the Enyimba Economic City which is coming up along Aba and Port Harcourt axis.

He stressed that the economic city will create more jobs and open new business opportunities for both Landlords in Aba. He urged them to keep supporting his administration as it unfolds more plans to reposition Aba as the SME capital of Nigeria.

Abia State CPS
08/09/2018