@blink182 de minister of finance
all you just say are things that are not viable. there is no news on that. why don't you say things that we can point at and there is prove to show for it. we need proves ok!

@blink182 de minister of finance
all you just say are things that are not viable. there is no news on that. why don't you say things that we can point at and there is prove to show for it. we need proves ok!

I HAVE LAID FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRIAL TAKE OFF - OHAKIM

Against the backdrop of projects he has been able to execute since he was sworn-into office, Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim said his government has laid solid foundation for industrial take-off.

Also he said the state will be a tourist destination unequalled in Africa after the implementation of the blueprint on his vision for the development of the state.

Ohakim gave the hint in Owerri, on Thursday, at the inspection of some major projects and flag-off for new road projects recently awarded across the three senatorial zones of Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu.

Some of the projects are the dualisation of Inner Ring Road construction of one bridge and 2 fly-over, timber market road, Ezelu-Okwe road, Onuimo, Obizi-Achingali-Onitsha road in Ezinihitte Mbaise, Okpara road in Okigwe and Ekeagbara-Umuezegem-Ubaha road as well as Eziama-Abba-Owerre-Nkworji road, all stone-based among others.

He told news men during the inspection tour of the project sites that his administration is committed to infrastructural development that is not only relevant to empowering the people but one that have laid strong foundation for industrial take-off for the state.

Ohakim said the state would be a tourist centre that will measure with what obtains in South Africa, in view of the vision of his leadership.

‘’we have awarded more road contracts, all stone-based to open up more communities. The infrastructures we have been able to fix have laid solid foundation for strong industrial take-off for Imo state".

‘’this state will be a tourist destination unequalled or perhaps what obtains in South-Africa after the implementation of our blueprint for massive development. Our new awarded road projects cut across all the zones in the state because we believe in equity without neglect for any zone and wards in the state. Nothing will make us lose vision’’ he promised.
http://www.imostate.gov.ng/news/793

Why Rochas Okorocha will step down

AN indigene of Imo State, Chief George Egu, has taken Jude Agbaso, the running mate of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to a Federal High Court, seeking to disqualify him from the race.

Obi said that Agbaso was not fit to stand for the election as Okorocha’s running mate because he was indicted in a case of forgery in the United States (U.S.).

Agbaso allegedly committed the offence in 1995.

But Agbaso’s party yesterday rose in defence of the deputy governorship candidate, saying the allegation was the handiwork of the Imo State Government.

According to the originating summons filed on behalf of Egu by Dr. Mike A.A. Ozekhome (SAN), Egu said it was immoral for Agbaso, who allegedly jumped bail in a criminal case in New York, U.S., to be seeking the number two seat of the state.

Those joined in the suit as defendants were Okorocha, APGA and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the originating summons, the plaintiff will, among others, seek to know “whether upon community reading with regard to the combined provisions of Section 14 (1) and (2), 15 (5), 23, 181, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 191 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 31 (5) and (6) of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended the 1st Defendant/Respondent is constitutionally and legally competent to run for the office of Deputy Governor of Imo State alongside the 2nd Defendant in the April 2011 Governorship election to be conducted by the 4th Defendant/Respondent.

“Whether the vice of criminality that taints the 1st Defendant/Respondent does not affect the 2nd Defendant in such a way as to bar the 2nd Defendant from running for the April 2011 Governorship election to be conducted by the 4th Defendant/Respondent having regards to the provisions of 14(1) and (2), 15 (5), 23, 181, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 191 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and section 31 (5) (6) of the Electoral Act, as amended.

“Whether in the peculiar circumstances of the case the 3rd Defendant is not precluded from fielding the 1st and 2nd Defendants as Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidates respectively in the April, 2011 Imo State Governorship election.

“Whether in the peculiar circumstances of this case the 4th Defendant/Respondent is not precluded from recognising and fielding the 1st and 2nd Defendants as Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidates respectively in the April, 2011 Imo State Governorship election.”

Egu is seeking a declaration that “upon community reading of the combined provision of Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, the Defendant is not constitutionally and legally competent to run for the office of Deputy Governor of Imo State alongside the 2nd Defendant in the 2011 Governorship election to be conducted by 4th Defendant.

“A declaration that the vice of criminality that taints the 1st Defendant affects the 2nd Defendant in such a way as to bar him from running for the office of Governor of Imo State having regards to the clear and unambiguous provisions Section 14(1) and (2) 15 (5), 23, 181, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190 and 191 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 199 as amended and Section 31 (5) of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

“A declaration that in the peculiar circumstances of the case, the 3rd Defendant is precluded from fielding the 1st and 2nd Defendant as Defendant as Deputy Governor and Governorship Candidate respectively in the April 2011, Imo State Governorship election.

“A declaration that having regard to the peculiar circumstances of this case the 4th Defendant is precluded from recognising and permitting the fielding of the 1st and 2nd Defendants as Deputy Governor and Governorship candidate respectively in the April 2011 Imo State Governorship election.

“An order of this Honourable Court barring the 1st and 2nd Defendants/Respondents from contesting or taking part in the April 2011 Imo State Governorship election as Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidate respectively.

“An order compelling the 4th Defendant to delist and/or remove the names of the 1st and 2nd Defendants as Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidates respectively of the 3rd Defendant/Respondent in the April, 2011 Imo State Governorship election to be conducted by the 4th Defendant/Respondent.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd Defendants from parading themselves as Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidate respectively of the 3rd Defendant in the Imo State Governorship election to be conducted by the 4th Defendant/Respondent.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd from fielding the 1st and 2nd Defendants as Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidate respectively in April, 2011 Imo State Governorship election.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the 4th Defendant whether by itself, Agents, Servants, Employees and/or Privies however from recognizing or permitting to be fielded the 1st and 2nd Defendants on the platform of the 3rd Defendant or by other platform in the April 2011 Imo State Governorship election.”

Egu said he was seeking these orders because the “1st and 2nd Defendants are constitutionally and statutorily barred from contesting the April 2011 Imo State governorship election to be conducted by the 4th defendant.

“The vice of criminality of the 1st Defendant/Respondent automatically rubs off on the 2nd Defendant/Respondent since they both have a joint ticket and one cannot contest without the other.

“It is immoral, unethical, unconscionable, illegal and unconstitutional for the 1st Defendant who has a criminal case hanging on his neck in New York, USA from which criminal proceeding he jumped bail, to contest election to the exalted office of Deputy Governor of Imo State, since, in the event that the wins, he will be liable to deportation and to being tried abroad whenever he steps on American soil, a scenario that is not dignifying for the image of Nigeria.

IMO STATE IS NO HIDING PLACE FOR CRIMINALS

An Owerri Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Folashade Olubanjo, has granted an ex-parte motion filed by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on behalf of Chief George Egu against the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Jude Agbaso.
The motion is seeking a relief to publish in two national dailies the summon to answer a case of criminality against Jude Agbaso, committed in the city of New York, United States of America, USA.
Here is a profile of his criminal record and you can make your judgement. He was indicted on 17 count charges including forgery and counterfeiting with SS# 108-76-1794. He used three different dates of birth to hide his identity. They include 1/1/1958,1/19/1958 and1/23/1958. He jumped bail and fled to Toronto, Canada while standing trial at Nasau County , New York. His last place of residence was 112 Front street, Freeport, New York, 11550-6625. His arrest# was 03-2557/94 and felony# 15117/94.
Addressing newsmen after the court session, counsel to the plaintiff, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said the matter was brought before the court as an originating summons, stating that Mr. Agbaso did commit some criminal offences while in the USA and jumped bail, which led a bench warrant to be issued  for his arrest.
Mike Ozekhome said that by the development, Mr. Jude Agbaso, a running mate to Chief Rochas Okorocha, was not a fit and proper person to be a running mate to a governorship candidate, adding that the vice of criminality that stained Mr. Agbaso also stained Okorocha, who both have joint and inseparable ticket, saying one could not run without the other.

Rochas in trouble!
A Federal High Court in Owerri yesterday summoned All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) deputy governorship candidate in Imo State for the April 26, 2011 election, Chief Jude Agbaso for allegedly jumping bail in the aftermath of a crime committed in New York, in the United States of America.
In the suit filed on behalf of Chief George Egu (Plaintiff) against Chief Jude Agbaso, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first   to fourth respondents respectively. Counsel to Egu, Barr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) is praying the court to publish in two national dailies the summons to Agbaso to answer for a criminal case he committed in the United States and for jumping bail after which  a bench warrant was issued for  his arrest.
In a chat with journalists after the court session presided over by Justice Folashade Okebanjo, counsel to Egu, Barr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) noted that Agbaso’s crime which makes him unfit for the deputy governorship position also makes Okorocha automatically unfit since the latter is his running mate.
Citing sections 185 to 199 of the Nigerian Constitution, Ozekhome commended the court for granting the motion and  fixing a full hearing for April  18, 2011.
Ozekhome also added that it would be a contravention of the 2010 Electoral as amended to allow both Agbaso and Okorocha to contest the governorship election on April 26th,
Agbaso’s crime is stated as “criminal possession of a forged instrument”.
http://nigerianhornnewspaper.com.ng/?p=217

hey easy on the Eze his just protecting the constitution in which his coronet stands. he can't say other wise

@Andre Uweh, do you have a problem with reading the Monday newspapers that have no links on the internet? irrational thinker

@Eziachi, i have seen how awkward your sense of reasoning can be. That you speak of the death. may the lord have mercy on you. A man commissions a water scheme all you come up with is some flippant statement of the the whole thing. at least the man said the truth. he is working

IYIECHU WATER SCHEME TO SUPPLY WATER TO OKIGWE LGA: OHAKIM

Dr, Ikedi Ohakim, the executive Governor of Imo State, has state that the Iyiechu Water Scheme will supply water to the entire Okigwe LGA. He stated this when he commissioned the Iyiechu Water Scheme at Okigwe during his campaign tour to the area and observed that Iyiechu Water Scheme has one of the best technologies in the world.
According to the governor, the water scheme was previously commissioned in 1945 but due to insufficient power supply, could not function properly.
He further explained that it was during his regime that the water scheme was dug out and recommended again coupled with the building of a power house with two stand-by generators to supply power for adequate function of the water scheme.
The governor also said that he has awarded the contract for work to commence in all the roads in Okigwe.
He thanked okigwe people for their renewing mandate for his continuity in office and promise to do more things for them during his second tenure.

ROCHAS DON’T DARE THE DECISION OF THE PEOPLE: By Eze Cletus IIomuanya

Political leaders and traditional rulers in Imo State last Tuesday took a definitive stand on zoning, insisting that it must be allowed to prevail particularly in respect of the governorship seat. The leaders stated that not only would Okigwe zone retain the seat for another four years, the incumbent governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is the most appropriate Okigwe son to complete Okigwe’s turn.
The stand of the leaders is contained in a communiqué which they issued after a one-day meeting at the palace of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The communiqué which was endorsed by Eze Ilomuanya, Eze Chijioke Okwara, Hon. Justice L.C. Alinnor (Orlu Zone), Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, Eze Julius Amaefule, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Owerri Zone), and Eze Eddy Njoku, Eze Dennis Ogwuegbu and Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu (Okigwe Zone) stated that no Orlu Zone indigene should aspire to be governor till 2023 since the zone had taken its turn of eight years between 1999 and 2007.
The leaders and Natural rulers maintained that Okigwe zone which is currently taking its turn should be allowed to enjoy another four years which terminates by 2015 for Owerri zone to mount the saddle.
Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, described it as an abomination for any individual, irrespective of his wealthy and financial promises to dare the decision of the people.
The turn of Owerri zone, the communiqué stated, would end in 2023, asserting that nothing would thwart this arrangement.
The leaders and monarchs submitted that this being the case, it is only the re-election of Gov. Ohakim that will guarantee Owerri zone taking its turn in 2015.
While noting that any other Okigwe Zone indigene is qualified to contest the governorship seat this year, they noted that it is only Ohakim that is under compulsion to vacate office in 2015 to make room for Owerri zone.
According to them, any other Okigwe Zone indigene that emerges governor this year cannot be prevailed upon not to gun for a second term.
They said they cannot trust all those promising to serve a single term and enjoined them to step down and join hands with other well-meaning Imo people to re-elect Gov. Ohakim for a second term.
The leaders called on the Imo electorate to overwhelmingly vote for Gov. Ohakim on April 16 in order to guarantee the political stability of the state.

LABOUR HONOURS OHAKIM WITH AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Impressed by the friendly disposition of Ikedi Ohakim-led government in Imo state with Labour as well as his laudable achievement to raise the standard of leadership to the benefit of all, Imo state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Wednesday, honoured the state governor, Ikedi Ohakim with Award of Excellence.

In a well-attended event at Sam Mbakwe hall, Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri by labour leaders, all affiliates of the union members commended the leadership competence of Ohakim, and expressed confidence in him towards the provision of good governance.

In his address, the state chairman of the union, comrade Nze Obinna Aharanwa listed 17-point reasons that qualified Ohakim for the award.

Particularly, labour pointed out the harmonious relationship with the government as against the cat and mouse relationship of previous governments.

‘’The Governor has displayed administrative competence and ability to attract federal projects to Imo state. The transformation of the state capital into a model city state and extension of it’s sub-urban areas by major road construction and opening up of remote areas.

‘’injection of fresh blood into the civil service of Imo state by employing ten thousand youths. Removal of the marginalisation clause in the recruitment of civil servants. Recent frantic efforts to wipe out the disparity in the payment of subventions and salaries among others’’ Aharanwa listed.

He said labour will ensure that the governor is re-elected as his visible projects remain good testimony.

In his response, Ohakim said he is humbled by the award which is the first of its kind in the history of the South –East, pledging not to relent in his efforts to put coy of smile on the faces of the masses through his need-meeting projects.

He promised to implement the 18,000 naira minimum wage, revealing further that he has forwarded for executive approval, the creation of another 10,000 jobs for non-graduates.

Earlier the chairman of the occassion, Chris Asoluka, described Ohakim as ‘’a visionary governor that deserves another tenure for consolidation’’.

OHAKIM WARNS AGAINST BREACH OF SECURITY

The Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim has warned that any person
or group who plans to create confusion or incite violence during the
elections in Imo State will face the wrath of the Law.
He made this disclosure in State Broadcast to the people of Imo state,
on the 2011 General Election, adding that the Imo electorate should
come out in their numbers and cast their votes according to their
consciences.
Governor Ohakim maintained that for months now Imo state had
witnessed intense but interesting campaigns for the general elections,
thanking Imo people for keeping the peace during the rallies, against
various provocations from some politicians.
“All those planning to create confusion, incite violence or disrupt
the election are hereby warned to rethink” he said.
The Governor declared Friday April 1, 2011 a Public Holidays for those
who registered in their communities to get home early enough for the
elections on Saturday.
He warned that during the election, movements from one booth or the
other are prohibited, adding that INEC Staff, whether Adhoc or
permanent must conduct themselves with transparency and patriotism.
He said that the future of Nigeria depends on the forthcoming
election, and all Nigerians must strive to get it right this time
around.
“I urge every citizen, big or small to conduct himself or herself in
orderly manner.  Everybody is enjoined to obey the Electoral
guidelines as stated by INEC” Ohakim said.

@timbuk two,  can you visit ohakim2011.org to see more things for yourself and imomanylies.com

The roads in your post were the handiwork of Senator Ifeanyi Arurume. I travelled on the network of roads in 2004 from Umuahia to Amaraku/Anara.

@Dede1, you are a liar

[s]Ohakim and his Abia state counterpart are arguably Nigeria's most under performing governors of this era.[/s]

@Bawss1,  you are the only one in this country that doesn't kw that Ohakim was given an award buy BJAN.http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/brands-a-marketing/15123-akunyili-ohakim-bag-bjans-awards
i think you have  a problem of not thinking before you talk or finding out things. you are fund of making glib comment. wake up and embrace the truth and stop spreading the propaganda you hear all over the place.

I see Andrewnwa/Tochukwu/Udoagwu/Arinzeeze/Real/Iuodagwu the dunce is at it again, spreading his meaningless and futile propaganda all in a desperate bid to deceive people into voting his criminal paymaster Ohakim.

@Areosapien,  why do you keep on following my comments from one forum to the other? Now we now know you are paid by Rochas your Ogboni master, Who also paid thugs to go attack Horn Newspapers house. this means that when your master becomes the governor of this state he will not only attack the Newspaper houses he will attack individuals on the street expressing their opinions.

But the question i have been asking you and you have not answered is this: what other agenda does your master Rochas have for the state apart from his frivolous free education his ranting about?
come to think of it. What does rochas do for a living?

can you come out bold and tell everyone in this forum the answers to these questions? i need someone to convince me to think otherwise.
lets talk more and lets do more!!!!!

Biggest joke of the century, cant you feel the revolution cooking, the people of the state have massively rejected zoning and do not want any interference on it from anyone, no matter how highly placed or imagined

@oguejoifor, have you asked yourself why owerri zone is quiet about coming out fro guder race? this is because they are on line to rule this state next. i can feel the revolution of politics in imo state. where everything is going back to its original plan made by the elder statesmen and a joint agreement with all the the zones full represented. an agreement that must stand that each political zone must take its turn as governor of the state.

the state have massively rejected zoning

, my friend i think you are really confused with your sense of judge. how can everyone in the state agree on one thing like "zombies" i think you are just one of the people who are being controlled by what people say, i wounder how old you are to make such a frivolous statement that the people of IMO state have massively rejected a candidate, forgetting that we have different political parties. i think you need to wake up and open your eyes, ears and think straight because politics is not bread for children but bone for adults. imo state is in the hands of GOD

The temptation is more as a married man’ - Basketmouth

He is unarguably one of the best comedians in Africa and the world. He has defied all the odds and proven to many that there are many sides to him. Bright Onyekwere Okpocha aka Basketmouth has in the past years thrilled his audience on different levels of comedy experiences. With a knack for telling real life situation jokes, Basketmouth has warmed his way into the hearts of many; even his archrivals and perceived foes. Regarded as arrogant and pompous by many, but generous, giving and friendly to others, Basketmouth says what he believes people don’t know about him, what is different about his new status as a married man and the magic touch that makes his fans love him every other day despite their misconceptions and misjudgments.

How true is the cliché that marriage makes a man more responsible?

It is very true because people’s perception of me before now has changed; my mindset has changed to a large extent. But the truth is, I have always seen myself as a married man. I had responsibilities before now; it’s just that my responsibilities and my marital status are now more official. It is still somehow the same but now it has been formally done in the presence of God. To a large extent, I owe her what I have promised her, so now, I am somewhat indebted.

Despite the many girls that you might have known what would you say singled her out?

Most people look at marriage as more or less a commitment; for me, it is a lifetime institution where once you are in, there is no going out. It is according to what the Bible and the law say. Most times when I meet girls I look beyond the physique. I try to look for those qualities that could make her a wife. There is no already made wife. So for me I look for that potential that looks beyond just the girl and focus more on what makes her a wife material. When I met Elsie, I saw in her the potential of a wife. She had a high sense of humour. She is down-to-heart. She is more or less like my second thought. She complements my decision when I seek her advice. She complements my thoughts. These and so many more I saw in her. We communicate very well and I saw in her a wife and sincerely I know that I did not make the wrong choice.

It is often so easy to make others laugh; is it the same with your wife?

Yes, I make her laugh a lot. Most times she actually tells me how best to tell a joke just so that it appeals to others.

What will you say stands her out among other girls you knew?

It’s not just one thing but one thing I know for sure is that she gives me joy. Truth be told, there are times that you just want to be alone and
you wish that your wife can just drive out and go have fun with her friends. Even when I am able to convince her to go out or when she goes out to see her friends, I notice that the moment she leaves I feel empty and alone. I have dated many girls before I got married and sometimes when they leave, I feel relieved but it was different with Elsie, anytime she is around I feel complete.

But is there really any difference now that you guys are married?

Yea, a lot has changed. Now I don’t own myself any more. There are some things that I just cannot do anymore. I am self destructive. In the house, she is like the pilot; authoritative. For instance, before the marriage, I had power on such things like my car. I could easily tell her which car she could and couldn’t drive, but now I cannot try it. Instead I have to make available other cars if I truly want to lay claim to a particular one or give orders that it shouldn’t be driven. Secondly, I don’t see this place like a home anymore. Apart from the fact that we live here and do things here, this does not feel like a home for me anymore. I need a change, I need something bigger; something we can call a home.

The year 2010 was indeed a great year for you, what is that magic you performed that makes people rush to your show in the manner they do?

First of all, I often tell some of my colleagues not to try to beat me or be like me because you don’t really know where I am going or what I have in mind. I am my own competition and I tell them to be their own competition. I try my best possible to make my next performance the best performance. For me, this is business; like some of my colleagues are wont to say, Basketmouth is not a comedian, he is a businessman. I disagreed most times but after a while I just realized that truly, I am a businessman. I look at what I do as a product. Some of my colleagues sell water in a champagne bottle while others sell champagne in a water bottle. When you sell champagne in a water bottle, it means that you are pricing yourself cheap while on the other hand, if you sell water in a champagne bottle, you might be taking a big risk.
It is either you upgrade the taste of your material or you cut down on the package, so that way what you sell is what the people get.

So what do you do?

I sell champagne in a champagne bottle and that does not make me the chairman. I work on the brand to the extent that it is acceptable. People must like the brand, even if they don’t like the person. I will let them like my jokes even if they think that I am arrogant. No matter the complain people have about Mercedes Benz as a car, they still drive it. Now, a lot of people have been doing comedy shows, they would sell the same thing to the same crowd. This can be frustrating. My instincts told me to kill Basketmouth Uncensored before it kills itself. I did that even though the last show was jam packed. You would just find that gradually, people will stop coming and that would be the end. Before then, I had complaints from people saying that I don’t feature other comedians in my show. By the time I decided to do that, I wanted to do it differently. First, I told myself that no matter the amount, the venue must be classy. What I consider is the crowd. I’d rather go for what makes them comfortable than trying to play safe. I also decided to inject some foreign comedians to spice up the show. It is a risk but it was one worth taking.

So how do you decide on the foreign comedians that can really make Nigerians laugh?

Well, the early part of last year wasn’t that good for me. There was no show so I told my manager to keep my diary open. I asked him to take any foreign gig. So, in most of the shows that I performed during that period, I took my time to check out those comedians that I know can relate with the Nigerian audience. I believe that anyone that can make me laugh can make any Nigerian laugh; because I think like the average Nigerian. It was while studying these comedians that I picked Kevin J and some others. I take the risk of inviting them, mind you; my own philosophy of risk taking is that I hate failure. I put in more than just anything to be okay. That was why we had things like the billboards and that was when I discovered that, what the people wanted was something different. They were tired of seeing the same thing over and over.

So if you are to review the year 2010, what would your conclusion be?

As Basketmouth the comedian, I’d say that I didn’t really do well judging by what came in and what went out. But as Bright Okpocha, running my business, Baron’s World, we did very well, we did extremely well. I got jobs from such corporate companies like GTBank, Virgin Atlantic, Access bank and so many others. I got more jobs from outside the country. Sincerely, I don’t do what I do because of money but because this is the job I do and I need to get paid. So judging by my income, it wasn’t really a good year but by what I achieved, it was my best year because I got to know a lot of people that impacted my life.

How do you manage the business angle of Bright which is more tasking and mix it very well with Basketmouth?

Back in school, I never really knew I was going to be a comedian. I was a show promoter. We brought such big stars like Remedy, Plantashun Boiz and Paul Play Dairo to UNIBEN back then. The very first time I climbed the stage was to rap, comedy I’d say discovered me. So, comedy came and took all my attention from my initial calling; show promoting. Basketmouth is just a comedian but Bright is a businessman that thinks of how to sell the Basketmouth shows and other events.

How do you manage it when your proposal is turned down?

First of all, I have been writing proposals to companies since 1996/1997 and I know that most of these companies have many commitments. When I meet them, I often tell them that I just want my products to be identified with their products. I am always like “I feel that your brand needs a platform and I am just giving you that platform because every product that has fame should have direction” This is what I sell to them. Most of the people that I have sold ideas to, usually say that they have been looking for something to project their brand’s philosophy. I do not go like, “if you sponsor me, I am going to brand the venue with your product”. I get turned down a lot but sincerely I do not feel bad. When I am turned down, I see it as my fault. I go like, “they have the money and this means you have not blown their mind because if they hear an idea that is on point, they will look for that money and sponsor you.” That is the reason why I work more on the product and look for an idea that when they hear about it, I just can’t be ignored.

What do you do with your time when you find yourself not working?

I play scrabble a lot and I also play Whot (card game) with my wife. I play video games which is only tennis. I play scrabble because it helps mentally. These are games that task your brain; they make you think before making any move. Then I like hanging out with friends. But now that I am married and I am not regularly opportuned to do so often again because I now have a curfew. I love travelling as well. These are things that are hard to achieve because of work. But when I am at home, the first thing you catch me doing is watching movies because I am a movie freak, but I watch basically foreign movies.

What is your grouse with Nollywood, why have we not seen you in any movie?

First of all is dialogue; if they can improve on the dialogue in their movies, it will change a lot of things. The speed in which they produce movies is too fast and the time is too short for them to be able to achieve all these because they are not fully funded, unlike American movies that are fully funded. Also, the reason why I have not done any movie is because anytime they come to me, I ask them to give me a script that will blow my mind. If I am to appear in a movie, I would want that movie to be one of the best movies, not necessarily having me as a lead actor.

So based on the funding issue, what do you think of the president’s 200 million dollars package?

If it gets into the right hand and it is well managed, then it will really help. Nigerian entertainers deserve it if only the people in charge will run it perfectly well. It was a great gesture and I applaud President Goodluck Jonathan for that. I do not think there has been any president that has taken time to look in that direction. Again, we do not have a theatre in Nigeria that is functioning properly. If they put N1.5billion into a theatre, it will boost the movie industry in many ways. The National Theater is dead. We need to revive the theater culture to help add more impetus to the entertainment industry.

How do you react to the misconceptions about you as regards your personality?

The last incident I heard was when a guy walked up to me in a bank and after discussing business he told me that before then, he had bad impressions about me based on what people say, “I just said let me just try and see if what people are saying is true” but I proved him wrong. He said he thought I was arrogant and that I always thought that I owned the world. I believe with that experience, I have been able changed one person’s wrong impression of me. The truth is that, I really do not care about what people think as long as God and I are okay. He knows my heart. Let three million people kill themselves, it is between me and God. If I am at peace with God, and genuinely God knows that am not the kind of person they are painting me to be, then all is well and good. If you have more haters i.e people “beefing” you; that means you are a great person. I try as much as possible to make people understand that I am not what they think I am. The same people say that am stingy especially the “Agberos” they say I do not give them money. I think it is a poor man that actually labels someone as arrogant. A lot of people that say that Basketmouth is arrogant only hear it, most people go by what they hear even when they have not seen it.

How true is it that you are temperamental?

People do not really see that part of me. When I was younger I was temperamental. Now, I am seriously working on it. But straight to the answer, I used to be temperamental but I control myself not to let people get to me and most times, I get angry when I am disrespected because I do not disrespect people. Now the reason why you have not seen it as a person or colleague is because you have never seen me when I am under pressure. I am human, so when I am pushed I can only contain for as long as I can. I try as much as possible not to do it in public. However, I agree I can be temperamental.

Customers they say are always right but at what point would you consider a fan going too far?

Sometimes people just come and tap me on the head, can you imagine that? So I tell them not to do that again because it is disrespectful. That is not how you appreciate people. Recently I was a Shoprite; one young boy just came from nowhere and grabbed my hand saying I should follow him to where his friends were standing so they could take pictures with me. I politely told him to let go of my hand and promised to follow him there. But he refused. Taking a closer look at him, I found out he was far younger than me. But what could I do? I just followed him. It was painful and annoying but I just had to play along. First of all I had sacrificed my privacy and secondly I had to be submissive. The one that I think is stupid was when a guy walked up to me and said, “ hey Basketmouth, my girlfriend is over there, she wants to take a picture with you, come lets go and meet her. What! If she is truly a fan, she would come over, not me going to meet her. And I just looked at the guy and thought; so you, a man can actually do this to another man?

What would you say are the benefits and disadvantages of stardom?

The benefits of stardom are limitless; it comes with a lot of favours. It is standard; it has put me in places that in my life I never believed I could be. It has afforded me the opportunity to meet and sit with the president and governors. Then again, the love; when people love you, it energizes you. It’s like a nutrient, a sense of fulfillment that you have actually done well. However, the disadvantages and the losses are limitless as well. I have lost my privacy. I do not keep female friends anymore because of what people might say. My friendship with the opposite sex ends with conversations on phone. Privacy in the sense that I cannot go for a normal early morning jog, or take a stroll with my family without being harassed by some people to drop money.

Do you ever go broke, what do you consider as being broke?

Yes, definitely everybody gets to that point whereby you do not have money. Then again, when I go like there is no fund; it does not necessarily mean that I am out completely. God will not let it get to that point where I go looking left, right and there is no money and nobody to run to. I pray I will never get to that point. I have been in a situation whereby I do not have money, but the good thing is that God has been kind. The reason why I still thank God is that He has not stopped my fuel tank from being full. People owe me money everywhere but nobody has paid even till date. So definitely, I go broke like every other person.
It was so bad that when Micheal Jackson died they toyed with the idea of preserving his brain to see what it could be useful for. If he had trained anyone to be like him, I don’t think they would want to do that.

Who are you currently training to step into your shoes?

Presently I have a lot of people around me. Most times I always call Ali Baba’s name in all my interviews because he was more or less like a guardian. God answers prayers in funny ways. There are people that I have been identified with in the past but somehow sometime, we part ways and the reason for this most times is that we tend to be colleagues and not friends. I am not friends with all the comedians and a large number of them at like that. I am friends with very few ones. But one person I see and I know in my heart that I will take it to the next level is Bovi. He is one person that strikes me and that was the reason why we became friends even before we even became colleagues. Buchi, is another person I can go with. I like him because he is spontaneous.

Ladies definitely still come, how do you draw the line?

One thing I do that helps is that you cannot see me in a club. It is impossible. I do not club as often as people think I do; the last time I went clubbing was in early 2000. If you see me in a club, it’s either for someone’s party or for an occasion. It really helps. Everytime I go for shows, while am backstage, I have all these people coming around and its tough but what I do is that immediately am done performing, I disappear. Then most times, when am travelling to a place where there are lots of women I go with my wife who was then my girlfriend. That way, there is no tendency to misbehave because nothing can happen. My prayer to God before I got married is that “abeg help me make I stop to dey drink, make I stop to follow woman”. It’s really tough but God has been answering my prayers.

How was the transition from being a bachelor to a dad?

When my wife gave birth to Jason, we were still two people. But after his birth, I then realized that I am not living my life for myself anymore, I am leaving my life for this boy and the other kids that will come. When I die, I want him to be able to say that “my father was a great man”. So that is why I want to take care of him. I look at both of them (wife and son) and I say to myself that these are the people I am leaving my life for. Now, the hustle is more.

What will you say is the beauty of being a Glo ambassador?

The fact that I am are being identified. The fact that the chairman felt this guy is good enough to represent the brand. It is that confidence he has in me that is overwhelming because it is a risk to use someone whose past you do not know, someone you know little or nothing about to represent your business.

Imo leaders, monarchs insist on zoning
Urge gov’ship candidates to step down for Ohakim

Political leaders and traditional rulers in Imo State Tuesday took a definitive stand on zoning, insisting that it must be allowed to prevail particularly in respect of the governorship seat. The leaders and monarchs stated that not only would Okigwe zone retain the seat for another four years, the incumbent governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is the most appropriate Okigwe son to complete Okigwe’s turn.

The stand of the leaders and monarchs is contained in a communiqué which they issued after a one-day meeting at the palace of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The communiqué which was endorsed by Eze Ilomuanya, Eze Chijioke Okwara, Hon. Justice L.C. Alinnor (Orlu Zone), Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, Eze Julius Amaefule, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Owerri Zone), and Eze Eddy Njoku, Eze Dennis Ogwuegbu and Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu (Okigwe Zone) stated that no Orlu Zone indigene should aspire to be governor till 2023 since the zone had taken its turn of eight years between 1999 and 2007.
The leaders and natural rulers maintained that Okigwe zone which is currently taking its turn should be allowed to enjoy another four years which terminates by 2015 for Owerri zone to mount the saddle.

The turn of Owerri zone, the communiqué stated, would end in 2023, asserting that nothing would thwart this arrangement.
The leaders and monarchs submitted that this being the case, it is only the re-election of Gov.  Ohakim that will guarantee Owerri  zone taking its turn in 2015.
While noting that any other Okigwe Zone indigene is qualified to contest the governorship seat this year, they noted that it is only Ohakim that is under compulsion to vacate office in 2015 to make room for Owerri zone.

According to them, any other Okigwe Zone indigene that emerges governor this year cannot be prevailed upon not to gun for a second term.
They said they cannot trust all those promising to serve a single term and enjoined them to step down and join hands with other well-meaning Imo people to re-elect Gov. Ohakim for a second term.
The leaders called on the Imo electorate to overwhelmingly vote for Gov. Ohakim on April 16 in order to guarantee the political stability of the state.
http://www.nigerianewspoint.com/news/153-step-down-for-ohakim-leaders-tell-other-candidates

Imo leaders, monarchs insist on zoning
Urge gov’ship candidates to step down for Ohakim

Political leaders and traditional rulers in Imo State Tuesday took a definitive stand on zoning, insisting that it must be allowed to prevail particularly in respect of the governorship seat. The leaders and monarchs stated that not only would Okigwe zone retain the seat for another four years, the incumbent governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is the most appropriate Okigwe son to complete Okigwe’s turn.

The stand of the leaders and monarchs is contained in a communiqué which they issued after a one-day meeting at the palace of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The communiqué which was endorsed by Eze Ilomuanya, Eze Chijioke Okwara, Hon. Justice L.C. Alinnor (Orlu Zone), Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, Eze Julius Amaefule, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Owerri Zone), and Eze Eddy Njoku, Eze Dennis Ogwuegbu and Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu (Okigwe Zone) stated that no Orlu Zone indigene should aspire to be governor till 2023 since the zone had taken its turn of eight years between 1999 and 2007.
The leaders and natural rulers maintained that Okigwe zone which is currently taking its turn should be allowed to enjoy another four years which terminates by 2015 for Owerri zone to mount the saddle.

The turn of Owerri zone, the communiqué stated, would end in 2023, asserting that nothing would thwart this arrangement.
The leaders and monarchs submitted that this being the case, it is only the re-election of Gov.  Ohakim that will guarantee Owerri  zone taking its turn in 2015.
While noting that any other Okigwe Zone indigene is qualified to contest the governorship seat this year, they noted that it is only Ohakim that is under compulsion to vacate office in 2015 to make room for Owerri zone.

According to them, any other Okigwe Zone indigene that emerges governor this year cannot be prevailed upon not to gun for a second term.
They said they cannot trust all those promising to serve a single term and enjoined them to step down and join hands with other well-meaning Imo people to re-elect Gov. Ohakim for a second term.
The leaders called on the Imo electorate to overwhelmingly vote for Gov. Ohakim on April 16 in order to guarantee the political stability of the state.

@Bawss1, .this is no propaganda this is so real because i was present at the solidarity visit to the government house. the first two years of ohakim was spent in the law court by some angry fellows who felt that the were supposed to be the governor of this state. Not with standing at the peak of his court case he drove okada riders from owerri to bring back this state to its original plan set by mbakwe. tell me one thing that you don't really like about this administration.

“IMO IS THE ONLY STATE WHERE GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATES ARE BEGGING TO BE ALLOWED TO RULE FOR ONLY FOUR YEARS”
[/color][/b][/font][/font][/font]
Can you react to the recent ratings about the governorship election by a leading newspaper in the country which said PDP may lose Imo State?

Those who should know have faulted the so-called opinion polls as lacking in scientific inputs. As far as I am concerned, it is a mere guess work based on rumour and gossips. How can you say that as much as 41 per cent is undecided yet on which way to vote and at the same time you reach a conclusion? Can’t the researchers see that the decision of that 41 per cent can completely alter their conclusions? Why wouldn’t the researchers hold on to see if events in the next couple of days or weeks can make those undecided to decide? The exercise is of no use to the people of Imo State. It is even an insult to such a very discernable people like Imo people.

To say that less than two weeks to the election, as much as 41 per cent of the people are yet undecided on which party to go is an insult. Our people are too sophisticated and politically alert to be associated with that type of non-challant. I hear that one of the candidates, Chief Rochas Okorocha, who was allocated 34 per cent of Imo votes, has been jumping up and down in jubilation. That’s vintage Okorocha. He is very much at home with things like that, things that confer false pretences. Being a very tentative fellow himself, he likes things that are tentative.

But in a recent interview with this newspaper, Chief Okorocha says he is the man the people want. Does that not corroborate the result of the opinion poll?

Is there any candidate who would tell you that the people do not want him? The other day at a debate organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, you needed to listen to the candidates. Everybody was beating his chest, even those whose parties do not have office in Imo state. They are the ones Imo people want. And as I said earlier, Chief Okorocha is known for being in love with frivolous claims.

Is it also frivolous when he talks about free education and he has something already on ground, talking about his Rochas Foundation School which he runs free?

That’s the very trap everybody seems to be falling into. I have said it before that his glib talk about free education amounts to a blackmail on our people. Somebody is talking about free education as if our people have not being going to school before now.

The way Chief Okorocha talks about his free education suggests that our people have not been sending their children to school before the arrival of his Rochas Foundation schools. He sounds as if every parent in Imo state is going cap in hand begging for free education for his or her children. That’s not the impression to give about your people. The pride of every Igbo man is to be seen to be able to train his children in school. Igbos do not have the culture of asking for free things. That’s why we don’t have beggars among Igbos. A fellow who probably comes from a background where people are used to having everything free should not come and paint a beggarly picture about our people. Igbo land is reputed to have the highest number of educated people. Before the civil war, Igbo land had the highest number of intellectuals. It was not through free education.

In any case, tuition is free in Imo state up till Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3). Chief Okorocha has not bothered to find out the level to which education is free. He makes blanket allusion to it as if nothing is on ground. And you will even discover that some other candidates have joined him in the glib talk about free education. Yet, if you ask them to articulate how they will fund free education, they will start stammering. The other day, a local newspaper reported that Chief Okorocha said he would fund free education with Security Vote and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). With over 700,000 school enrolment, it will take about N22 billion annually to give free education at all levels in Imo state. Now, the state I.G.R. is less than N420,000 per month. He talks about Security Vote. How much Security Vote?

Imo gets an average allocation of about N30 billion annually. He did not state how much of this is Security Vote. But if out of N30 billion you take N22 billion for education only, what of salary of civil servants which takes about N22 billion annually. How about the provision and maintenance of infrastructure. You see why I refer to them as talking glibly about free education? In Chief Okorocha’s three – page interview, there was no where he explained how he will fund the free education. His talk about Security Votes betrays his mind set. That’s where his eyes are: Security Votes. No serious governorship candidate talks about Security Votes. To talk feebly about it shows that it is his main target. They should stop cheapening our people. I have said nothing to suggest that free education is not good. But we should talk about it intelligently.

Chief Okorocha was appointed by Governor Ohakim to head the State Education Trust Fund Committee that was expected to raise over N50 billion for the rehabilitation of educational infrastructure in the state. That committee did not meet for one day after inauguration.

He was no where to found. He never showed up again because he does not like to work with other people with ideas. That committee had other brilliant chaps who had ideas to contribute. But their chairman bolted away because he wouldn’t want others to make contributions. If you look around Chief Okorocha, you can hardly find bright people around him. It is only people who are handicapped so that they always look up to him as a messiah. Imo people have gone pass the messiah syndrome stage.

But Imo people seem to be sold to his rescue mission slogan.

I am happy you call it a slogan. And you know what sloganeering is all about. Most times, most slogans are empty. We have one in our hands, talking about Chief Okorocha and his governorship ambition. But it is not about slogans. Some of them confuse popularity with politics. You can be popular without being a good politician. After all, musicians are popular. Those acting homes movies are popular. If you bring a governor together with Pete Edochie or Osuofia, I am sure more people will like to stay around the actors. So, it is not just about being popular. It is about having what it takes to win an election. Imo state is a PDP state. Chief Okorocha’s party, APGA, does not have what it takes to win a governorship election in Imo state. The other day, I went home and started asking about APGA in my own local government area. There are not up to twenty people who are in APGA in my local government area. In my ward, there are only two APGA members. In my home town, there is not a single APGA member. And we have about 70, 000 voters registered in my L.G.A which happens to be one of the largest local government areas is the state. It is like that all over. Only last week, the only APGA member in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeronye, dumped the party and pitched camp with the PDP. Hon Emeronye is representing Ahiazu Mbaise, the stronghold of APGA in Imo state. The people of Ideato South local government area, where Chief Okorocha comes from, are not sold to his candidacy. Only yesterday, all the traditional rulers in his L.G.A endorsed Governor Ohakim and pointedly asked Chief Okorocha to respect the zoning arrangement in the state. So tell me, from where will Chief Okorocha get the vote with which he will win the governorship election? As I talk to you now, he has campaigned only in three local government areas, less than two weeks to the election. That’s why he is doing mostly road shows in Owerri. But you are here in Owerri. You know it is all theatrics.

You think it is only about structures, talking about the PDP? You think Governor Ikedi Ohakim has done well to earn the votes for re-election?

You are an Imo citizen. And you live here in the state. You can answer that question yourself. But I can still help you by saying a big “YES”. His opponents are opposing him not because he has not done well but because they are desperate to be governor. And how would you know they are desperate? Candidate Okorocha, for example, talks about spending only four years. Why would you want to spend only four years when there is a constitutional provision that you can run for a second term. The people that wrote the constitution are no fools. They knew the reason they made such provisions. Even in advanced democracies like the United States of America, they have provision for governors and president to run for second term.

So, if you come and you keep on saying, ‘I will do only one term, I will do only one term’, it means you are just begging the people to allow you to just test the position. Chief Okorocha and a few other candidates like him know they do not fall into the template Imo people are using to produce their governors, I mean the zoning arrangement. Okorocha knows that by that arrangement, he should not be talking about governorship now. That’s why he is begging, trying to deceive the people that he will do only one term.

Only desperate candidates talk that way. It is only in Imo state that you see governorship candidates who are begging to be allowed for only one term. Begging or trying to cajole the people to allow you do only one term is an admittance that the candidate either lacks what it takes to do two terms of eight years or is coming from the wrong angle. Chief Okorocha suffers from both. He lacks what it takes to subject himself to party discipline or team work. That’s why he changes party every election. He started with PDP in 1999, Later ANPP, Later he formed Action Alliance, which he abandoned before anybody knew what was happening. Now he is in APGA. Of course, such a fellow cannot sustain the loyalty of party members to make it possible for him to govern a state for eight full years. You see, people expose themselves through several ways. Chief Okorocha is begging Imo people for only one term because he knows that Imo people have a template which they want to stick to, namely that after Okigwe zone might have complete its turn through Governor Ohakim, it goes to Owerri zone, not Orlu zone where he, Okorocha, comes from.

But in that interview he debunked the zoning arrangement. In 2007 some people from Orlu zone ran for the governorship. We had Hope Uzodinma, Tony Ezenna, and Festus Odimegwu. And if any of them had won, that would have meant that another Orlu fellow would have emerged immediately after Chief Achike Udenwa. That’s why people like Chief Okorocha say that zoning is dead in Imo state.

That brings us to the crux of the matter. So, why weren’t those Orlu people elected. They did not even go beyond the primaries. Do they think Imo people are fools? Hope Uzodinma came first in the PDP primaries. Why wasn’t he given the ticket to contest the main election? The fact that a selfish money bags nurses an inordinate ambition does not mean that that is what the people want. The same way Imo people resisted those Orlu zone chaps who wanted to rubbish the zoning arrangement, is the same way they will reject Okorocha on April 16, 2011. That you have money is not the reason you should want to thwart the collective will of the people. Chief Okorocha was nobody when leaders of the state came up with that template. And I am saying that he is not is a position to change it. I have the record which shows that he visited the former President, Chief Obasanjo, on January 3, 2007, to complain that Tony Ezenna was running for governor even when he comes from Orlu zone. And he was asking Obasanjo to stop him.

But many people have said that zoning promotes mediocrity, that let the best come out no matter where he or she comes from.

May be zoning promotes mediocrity in areas where the likes of Okorocha grew up but certainly not in Imo state or if you like Igbo land. There is no local government in Imo state you will not find at least five governorship materials, not to talk about an entire zone made up of, up to nine local government areas. Let the zone whose turn it is bring out their best. You see, this zoning thing is just for equity, so that all parts of the state can have a sense of belonging. If you don’t zone, many areas will never have the opportunity.

Many of the governor’s critics argue that the projects he claims to have done are not there. Things like the Wonder Lake Resort project and Oak Refinery and Petrochemical project.

You are a journalist practicing in this state. The governor has never claimed that any of these projects have been completed. He has never told anybody that he has completed the Wonder Lake project or Oak Refinery. Those talking that way expose their own ignorance. I read Chief Okorocha’s interview where he alluded to the non-existence of the Wonder lake Resort and the Oak Refinery. Of course, these are street talks. One would expect a governorship candidate to go beyond platitudes to talk more knowledgeably. You see, these people are not thorough and deep. Otherwise, they would know that it is not possible to have completed the Oguta Wonder Lake project under four years. Or the refinery. Which state can build a refinery in four years? These are mega projects that are for the future but which foundation are being laid now. The projects require a lot of planning. The paper work alone takes years.

If it were just a question of going to a site to erect a building block to announce a project, then may be they would talk differently. And that’s what our people are used to, seeing physical infrastructure before plans for a project are even concluded. And that is why we have abandoned projects. Many governments rush to begin to erect physical infrastructures even before the feasibilities studies are completed. At a stage, they discover that the project may not be viable. Governor Ohakim is too sophisticated for that type of thing. I know that a fellow like Rochas Okorocha would start by erecting buildings so that people can clap for him. So that Okada riders can hail him. Governance in the 21st century has gone beyond mere waiving of hands. Only the deep can call to the deep. The governor is not looking for cheap popularity. Any knowledgeable fellow knows that these mega projects take time. Imo citizens who have the interest of the state at heart know that. The sword turning ceremony of the Wonder Lake project was laid on January 4, this year. You live in Owerri. Just drive to Oguta Lake and see the rate of progress within three months.

You are aware of the setback the project suffered as a result of the global economic crisis and the security situation in the Niger Delta. As a result of these, some of the earlier partners experienced difficulties. Some, their home governments even cancelled approvals earlier given. We had to start afresh. Part of the delay was also because some people went to court to stop the state government from doing certain things. Take the N18.5 billion Bond the state government floated. Some people went to court to stop it. So the Bond stayed longer than we had anticipated before it was pulled through. That naturally meant that the necessary funds were delayed in coming. As I talk to you now, the federal government, through the NNPC, is partnering with the state government on the refinery project

One issue that has come up in the current electioneering campaign is that the key candidates insist that they have a pedigree of success in business and wealthy background and that this will help them manage the resources of the state better.

Which business success? And where is the wealthy background? I don’t know when being a chronic bank debtor makes one a successful businessman. Go there, you will see the records at the relevant quarters. Some of these candidates are what bankers call bank invaders. They take loans from banks, they will never pay. I don’t want to mention names but there are at least three of the candidates whom banks have taken over their property all over the country on account of loan default.

But even so, some of them cannot talk about wealth because their wealth is what we used to call Money Miss Road in those days. How many people benefited from their wealth? Chief Okorocha talks about internally generated revenue in Imo state. Ask him how much tax he pays to the state. Is it not from taxes that you get IGR? In 2009, he paid only N661,000 as tax. In 2008, he paid only N570, 000. Go and cross check, you will see what I am talking about. As a public servant, I pay much higher than that. It means a lot of civil servants pay more tax than Chief Okorocha. Yet he has the temerity to talk about I.G.R. Is that not cheating the system and the people? In other claims, people like him will not be talking because they are tax evaders. Many countries have zero tolerance for tax evaders. But here in Nigeria, anything goes. The road to his village was un-tarred until Governor Ohakim tarred it when his mother died in 2008. Chief Okorocha says you people in the media should not compare him with the other candidates. That he stands out. And you failed to ask him on what basis. He is talking about people who have sound education they received when they were in their early twenties. But Chief Okorocha flaunts a degree he purportedly got only last year, 2010, at almost 50 years of age. So, when he says don’t compare me with other candidates, he, of course, means including Chief Ikedi Ohakim. Isn’t that funny? You come from Imo state here, tell me which company he owns. All what you hear is Jos, Jos, Jos, Abuja, Abuja. He talks about transparency in the democratic process. But you are here in Imo as a journalist. Did he undergo any primary election in APGA before he emerged its governorship candidate? As far as I am concerned, personally, Chief Okorocha is planted in APGA to destroy the party. He is on a mission there. As he did in ANPP.

Lastly Sir, the election is just 10 days away. What are the chances of Governor Ohakim?

Governor Ohakim will win the election neat and dry.

Areosapien, thanks for noting out the mistakes made by me in my write up. Back to the issue on ground i need you to tell the residences, why you personal want to vote owelle Rochas okorocha your master, who pays people like you to do bad things such as spreading propaganda.

@AMAKA, tell me the name of your village and i will bring out a picture of a project that was commissioned in your village. since you have failed to say the truth.

@Areosapien!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you again going about deceiving people with these you nonsense comment you always write on Nairaland. all you do is to pick out people and say lots of rubbish from your gutter. we all your campaign strategy for your man rochas, it is so obvious that all you talk about in this forum is about rochas in a way of carrying propaganda about other aspirant coming out as governor. we imolites have learnt from the past and now our eyes are widely open. as for hoodlums like you going about and trying to promote man by destroying another man's name we are out to expose you to the public. i have taken time to read lots of articles on nairaland. i have seen your identity changing after several bound from the forum and the use of different identities to purport your agenda. i am gathering all your different identities you will soon be exposed in due cos. everyone beware or AREOSAPIEN

GOVERNOR OHAKIM PROMISES FURTHER REDUCTION OF SCHOOL FEES

The visitor of Evan Enwerem University (EEU) and the performing Governor of Imo state, Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim has promised imo stars that his administration is committed to the well-being of the citizenry and would do anything within its reach to ensure that education in the state is taken to the next level.
The governor stated this while responding to the solidarity message of the student union government of EEU during the solidarity rally in support of the solidarity rally in support of the governor’s re-election last week.

The youthful governor of imo state, Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim said that his administration has articulated a perfect plan to ensure the relocation of the university to her permanent site, where state of the art of learning and teaching facilities would be provided, with model hostel accommodations.

In his words, Governor Ohakim said “I think you for this show of solidarity I have already declared state of emergency in the education sector. Soon very soon, I will work out modalities to further improve the university funding so that your school fees would be substantially reduced. I shall reduce your school fees and ensure adequate warfare package for all of you, you are my children “I will do more for you”.

Governor Ohakim asserted that his administration has placed the university under special intervention programme, because according to him, since education is the highest industry in imo state, the government has no option than to ensure that the education is given its place of pride in the scheme of things.

Araraume is confused.

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Imo state has promised tuition fee in Evan Enwerem University (EEU) Owerri from N150, 000 to N30, 000 per section. He made the promise at a campaign rally held in Ideato north

.
The above statement was made by the Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. Please can Imolites tell me what this man is coming to do in this state? A man that is not informed with what is happening in the state. This man wakes up and says that he wants to will slash EEU fee to N30, 000. This is a fee that was never increased or announced by any media. The school fees of EEU was not reduced or increased the fees is still at N30, 000. The question here is what school fees is he trying to decrease. We Imolites are now well informed and ready to flush out people who come to deceive us with empty promises because of the present situation people are rumouring of school fees.
The present governor Ohakim has stated clearly through all available media that “if you know that you have paid any amount other than the present school fees N30, 000 you should go back for refunding”. We need someone that is well informed with happening on ground not someone who has his agenda only on reducing the school fees of EEU what of other factors affecting the state. Imolites lets join hands and flush out bad eggs.

my friends this is my personal research am a press man so if u need links i will give you if anyone avaliable





                                                                                                                                                                                                           thank you

Ideato South, No-Go Area for Opposition, Says Royal Father

Communities of Ideato South in Imo state have vowed to vote in mass for governor Ikedi Ohakim as a way of appreciating the development efforts he brought to the area through his laudable projects.
Also the communities passed a resolution to adopt Ohakim as their candidate for the governorship race, while advising the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship aspirant, Rochas Okorocha to withdraw from the race as a matter of justice and fair play.
The communities made their pledge during a courtesy visit by Ohakim at the palace of Eze P. E. Ewuzie at Umuakam community on Monday before kicking off his campaign in the area.
With other recognized 18 traditional rulers in attendance, Ewuzie, Chairman of the traditional council said there is no vacancy at the government House except Ohakim completes his second tenure which he said is zoned to Okigwe.
‘’we have met on the issue concerning the April elections and we have resolved to endorse governor Ikedi Ohakim for our total support as well as other PDP candidates. We have looked at his visible contributions towards the development of our communities which is commendable and also this is still the turn of Okigwe his zone to complete their tenure and we will support him.
‘’Owelle Rochas is our son, we love him but we have told him the truth that our zone, Orlu has completed their 8-year tenure through Gov. Achike Udenwa. This zoning was done to restore political stability and harmony in Imo state and after Ohakim, Owerri zone will take over. There is no vacancy for now in Imo State government House if we must allow justice to reign’’ the royal father noted.
Also the community in a resolution by its town unions dated 13th of March, 2011, agreed to support the second term bid for Ohakim as he has shown competence for good governance.

thanks you all for your nice gesture. i just relax to see how Nigerians can be no matter how educated they are and were they have been too they are still the same way always once things to be done very fast and clean. A wildfire comes out from a spark of light, a city starts with a house and a journey starts with a step. Where you around that same place by 2007 to see for yourself what that place looked like? that picture was taken from a press friend of mine when that place was undergoing cleaning process. if you care to see worst places than that area, you just come out plain and let me know. the i will send you the pictures so you can see for yourself.

the question here is what has ohakim really done to you guys? I need facts not propaganda or hear say i need something the world will see and say lets nail this guy to the cross . i really want to know bring me out from a state of obscurity let me join you guys in your quest to make imo better!