₦airaland Forum

Lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State House of Assembly has given the Labour Party-led legislative House 90 days ultimatum to revert to the provisions of the Harmonized Standing Orders (Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly), ABN TV learnt.

The lawmakers say as the party with the majority elected members of the Eight House of Assembly, it should produce/occupy the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip positions, faulting the Labour Party for producing the Majority leader despite being a minority party.

In the three-month Pre-Action Notice addressed to the clerk, ABHA Umuahia and signed by Counsel to the PDP elected members, Igwe Ogwo Esq; they will recover the Majority Leadership positions.

The document further revealed that the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, disregarded the names of the nominated House of Assembly members of the PDP sent to him by the Chairman of PDP, Abia State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Alwell Asiforo Okere read out the names that were sent to him by the Labour Party (LP) that has the minority members in the Eighth House of Assembly.

The document reads thus in parts: “This is an utter breach and violation of the extant and crystally clear provisions of Order 8, Rule 42(1), 43(1), and 45(1) of the Harmonized Standing Orders (Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly) and an affront to our democratic tenets, spirit and the law.

They want to Speaker to revert to the order of the House which allows the majority party to occupy the Majority Leader's position.

They also disclosed that failure, refusal or neglect to comply with the legal Pre-Action Notice, they would invite the Honourable Court to interpret the legal import purport of the provisions of the already referred Harmonized Standing Orders (Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly) as to the meaning of: “…he shall be a member nominated from the party with the highest number of members in the House”.

They maintained that the following relief shall also be sought in addition:

"A declaration that PDP is the majority party in the ABHA as presently constituted.

"A declaration that the Respondent cannot validly be nominated and/or appoint a member of the ABHA who is not a member of the PDP as the Majority Leader of the ABHA.

"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Majority Leader of the ABHA.

"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Deputy Majority Leader of the ABHA.

"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Chief Whip of the ABHA.

"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Deputy Chief Whip of the ABHA.

"A declaration that the purported nomination and/or appointment of the Minority members as Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip of ABHA on 30th Day of June 2023 is unconstitutional, invalid, null and void and constitutes a breach of the ABHA".

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti on Friday swore-in 19 Commissioners in the state, ABN TV reports.

The swearing-in was performed by the Governor at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.

In his speech during the event, Otti charged the new commissioners to work in line with his administration’s vision of delivering a new Abia State.

He encouraged them to utilize their jobs in writing their names in gold by playing important roles in the rebuilding of Abia, especially in areas of critical infrastructure.

The new Commissioners and their portfolios are as follows:

1. Ikechukwu Uwanna: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

2. Prof Monica Ironkwe: Agriculture

3. Kingsley Anosike: Budget and Planning

4. Prof Uche Eme Uche: Education

5. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna: Environment and Urban Renewal

6. Mike Akpara: Finance

7. Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo: Health

8. Prince Okey Kanu. -Information and Culture

9. Chaka Chukwumerije: Lands and Housing

10. Prince Uzor Nwachukwu: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

11. Prof Joel Friday Ogbonna: Petroleum and Mineral Resources

12. Chima Emmanuel Oriaku: Science and Technology

13. Nwaobilor Ananaba: Sports and Youth Development

14. Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu: Trade, Commerce & Industry

15. Ngozi Blessing Felix: Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

16. Engr Don Otumchere Oti: Works

17. Comrade Sunny Onwuma: Transport

18. Engr Ikechukwu Monday: Power and Public Utilities

19. Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe: Digital Economy/ SME

The newly appointed commissioners in Abia state will today, Friday, July 7, 2023 be sworn-in by the governor, Dr. Alex Otti, ABN TV reports.

Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor made this known in a statement on Thursday.

He said, "Dr. Otti had last week submitted a list of 19 nominees for the post of commissioners to the State House of Assembly for approval. Sixteen of them subsequently appeared before the House, earlier this week, for screening and were promptly cleared.

"The other three nominees are expected to appear before the Assembly next week for screening.

"The 16 commissioner-designates are scheduled for swearing in today at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, by 11 a.m.

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti says he has commenced the process of rejuvenating Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the State, with the handover of nine Road works to different contractors on Wednesday, ABN TV reports.

Led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr Otumchere Oti, Governor Otti defied the afternoon showers as he toured the degenerated roads across the Aba metropolis, Chief press secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.

Excited residents according to the statement cheered the Governor and his entourage, which included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa; his deputy, Rt Hon Augustine Meregini and the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Destiny Akaraka Nwagwu, at every stop as Dr. Otti observed the decadence that dotted long stretches of the roads earmarked for rehabilitation.

"We had promised that we are going to rebuild the roads. The first thing is that we clear the drainages because if we don’t do that, we won't be able to build roads that would last.

"As you can see on this Azikiwe Road, the main job here is to clear the drainages, desilt them and open up the flow of water to Aba River.

"There are a few roads we want to rebuild completely and those are the roads that we have come to handover to the contractors today," Uko quoted Governor Otti of telling the ecstatic crowd.

Some of the roads that will receive immediate attention in order to "significantly reduce the sufferings of motorists within Aba" are, namely:
1. University Road, Abayi
2. Green Avenue
3. Udeagbala Road
4 Shallom Road
5, Umuimo Road
6. Old Express Road
7. Abak Road with adjoining streets
8. Queens Street
9. Jubilee Road.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has set a September 1, 2023 target to migrate the state into a Treasury Single Account (TSA), ABN TV reports.

Dr. Otti said from that date all monies accruing to the State will be paid into a single account. Likewise, all payments by the state will be made through the same account.

The Governor spoke Wednesday at a townhall meeting with the leaderships of the transport unions and markets in the state, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Umuahia, capital of Abia, chief press secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.

The townhall meeting was to educate as well as enlighten transporters and traders in the state on their obligations as the state adopts the new digital system of tax payments, the statement added.

"Our government is a very responsible government. We must put the people first and that's why you're here," the Governor told his audience as he set the tone and agenda for the event.

Governor Otti reiterated that the whole essence of digitalising the tax regime in the state is to eliminate all forms of sharp practices including fraud, diversion of proceeds, and middlemen.

"Now, you can pay from the comfort of your home or office, and get digital receipts on your mobile devices. We can authenticate your receipts through a code, I believe it's a QR code. We can read your receipts and know whether they're authentic or not.

"This scheme is carefully designed to develop and empower our people. It will lead to employment generation and also give confidence to our people that their payments are getting to the right place," Governor Otti further explained.

He called on the stakeholders in revenue generation to embrace the new tax regime, insisting that it would help in eliminating all forms of manual collection of revenue and fraud, increase the revenue base of the State, help in the ease of doing business, attract local and international investors and also help the government fulfill its campaign promises to the people of Abia State.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on IGR, Mr. Chimereze Okigbo said the town hall meeting was to have useful interactions with the necessary stakeholders given the formal launch of the new digital tax system.

A renowned gospel musician, Felix Ndukwe has narrated how he escaped from kidnappers along Oji flyover while he was returning from a birthday party in Imo State.

Speaking with ABN TV on Wednesday, Mr. Ndukwe said he had stopped along the express at odd hour on June 24 to urinate when the kidnappers surrounded him at gunpoint and ordered him to move the car while they dictate the direction.

According to him, the abductors gave him a stern warning not to make any move to escape or have himself to blame.

He said they directed him to Orlu road, from where they accessed Owerri town and later found themselves inside Ihiagwa.

"God planted confusion in their midst. There is a road that is supposed to link them to a better one from where they would take me to their destination.

"Fortunately for me, the man in front giving me direction missed it because he was making calls, apparently calling other colleagues.

"Another person at the back got angry, asking why he was on the phone for a long time instead of directing them man.

"When I discovered that we have gone off their planned road and where we were was not motorable enough. I found a way to entrap my vehicle so that it can't move again.

"When I saw a big erosion, I intentionally entered in the middle of it, sensing that a salon vehicle cannot pass there, if not a tipper.

"When we got entrapped, they became infuriated and one of them wanted to hit me with his gun butt but I dodged. The other person warned him against touching me.

"At this point, they did all they could to no avail, then they abandoned me", he stated.

Ndukwe who was full of praise said he started calling people for rescue before he was safely evacuated.

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti on Monday launched a new digital tax system that would help the state eliminate fraud and intermediaries in revenue generation, ABN TV reports.

The new system, which integrates free medical insurance schemes for all commercial vehicle drivers and riders of Keke and Okada, will see the state also maximise its revenue potential, the governor says.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko in a statement said at the launch, Dr. Otti, who was flanked by some senior members of his cabinet, including the Chief of Staff, Dr. Caleb Ajagba; the Special Adviser on Internally-Generated Revenue, Mr. Chimereze Isaac Okigbo; and Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev Father Christian Anokwuru, said that the introduction of the new digital system will not only strengthen the state’s tax collection but would also promote economic growth and entrepreneurship in the state.

“By simplifying tax compliance procedures, we have removed barriers for businesses, encourage formalisation, and stimulate investment. This initiative empowers entrepreneurs, enabling them to focus on their ventures' growth and expansion, ultimately leading to job creation and economic prosperity for our state.

“By eliminating fraud, intermediaries, and introducing the digital platform to block leakages, we will unlock the true potential of our tax system to maximise revenue for development projects.

“The digitalised tax regime ensures that every business, large or small, contributes its fair share towards the growth of our state. With the expected increased revenue, the government can invest in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and other essential sectors that will uplift the lives of all Ndi Abia,” he quoted the Governor as saying.

He declared that the free medical insurance scheme component of the new digital tax payment system is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to create an affordable health care delivery “for our people across all sectors and segments” of the society.

The new digital tax system essentially aims at sanitising revenue generation in the transport sector and the markets. While the Permit to Operate Tickets targets those in the transport business, the Innovative Traders Tax Payment aptly targets traders in the market areas.

“Unlike in the past where revenue agents abused these daily tickets with all manner of collectibles, now, we are promoting Transparency and Ease of Compliance in our commitment to making tax compliance simpler and more accessible. The digitalised tax regime introduces enumeration and easy paying platforms which includes the use of USSD and wallet services.

“The Permit to operate Tickets for Transporters has been designed in bouquets which gives the commercial transport operators options to choose among the daily, weekly and monthly scheme. This has eliminated all forms of middle men that have been meddling on our revenue collection space. We are also optimistic that this model will eventually eliminate and reduce the risk of extortion, promote transparency, increase tax compliance, strengthen ease of doing business in Abia state and empower these businesses to operate within a legally defined framework and environment,” the Governor said.

Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti has ordered the immediate suspension of the Head of Service of the state, Mr. Onyi Nwamah, ABN TV reports.

This according to the Governor follows the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko in a statement Thursday night made available to ABN TV, said the state's chief executive also ordered the suspension of all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service.

The Governor also approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS).

Two Permanent Secretaries spared by the suspension include, John Pedro Iroakazi who is the Clerk of the House of Assembly and Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne who is the Solicitor General of the state.

Arsenal legend and Nigeria's former international Kanu Nwankwo has congratulated the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, on his successful assumption of office.

ABN TV reports that the multiple award-winning footballer was at the Isialangwa country home of Dr. Otti on Sunday, where he presented the Abia Governor with a gift of customised football Jersey shirt and a giant-sized card bearing a goodwill message.

Kanu also wished the Governor well in his assignment as the new chief executive of the state.

The presence of the Super Eagles' former striker naturally attracted the attention of residents and visitors within the expansive home of the first citizen of Abia.

The First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has assured that appropriate action is being taken to rehabilitate the inmates rescued from a baby factory located at Umunkpeyi, Nvosi, in Isialangwa South LGA.

Mrs. Otti gave the assurance Tuesday when she paid an unscheduled visit to the young girls at Madonna College of Health Technology, Olokoro, Umuahia, where they are being taken care of.

The wife of the Governor, who expressed sadness and disappointment over the incident, described the development as heartbreaking, adding, however, that government was providing care temporarily for the Baby factory victims.

She regretted that such an unfortunate act was being carried out in the State and assured that government would partner charity homes, churches, and other stakeholders to provide necessary assistance to care for young girls and children in the State, who are being taken advantage of.

Speaking earlier, while receiving the wife of the Governor to the college, the Provost, Madonna College of Health Technology, Olokoro, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru narrated that the Girls were brought to the facility following their rescue by the State government few days ago.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 40 sitting in Bwari, Abuja, has sacked Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa Jr. as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

In his judgement delivered Tuesday afternoon, Justice Mohammed Madugu nullified all actions taken by Chief Victor Ikechukwu Oye since the Supreme Court, in a March 24, 2023, judgement, deleted his name from the annals of APGA history.

The apex court has also replaced Chief Oye’s name with that of Chief Edozie Njoku, who it affirmed as the authentic National Chairman of APGA.

The court ordered that all actions of Oye are unlawful, hence null and avoid.

Justice Madugu further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Chief Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA in line with the Supreme Court judgement of March 24.

Meanwhile, following this judgement, a chieftain of APGA in Abia, Sir Chikwe Udensi, the new chairman of APGA Chief Edozie Njoku and other stalwarts of the party have welcomed the judgement voiding actions taken by Oye in the last election.

Abia State government has released the official portrait of the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, ABN TV reports.

The picture is expected to be hung conspicuously in all public and corporate buildings and offices across the state, a statement by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko said.

"An image of a confident, humane, and bold Dr. Otti is captured in the picture beaming with smiles as he looks to shoulder the task of governance and deliver dividends of quality leadership to the people of Abia State.

"The full colour headshot is the handwork of versatile photographer Inyama Iheanyi Iroham of Ebony Photo Kingdom.

The umbrella body of journalists in the country, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Saturday said it would withdraw its services if the Federal Government fails to reverse its decision to stop fuel subsidy.

A statement by the union’s National Secretary, Shuaibu Leman, made this known after an emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held virtually on Saturday.

The statement said, “After presentations by the national president, Chris Isiguzo, and the national treasurer Bamidele Atunbi on the position taken by the NLC on the matter, members unanimously adopted the position of the NLC on the issue.

“CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could, however, lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive government as being insensitive to their plight.”

The NUJ stated that the removal of fuel subsidy and its attendant effect on petrol price and inflation has seen the purchasing power of the citizenry diminish significantly.

“CWC also notes that already there is an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens.

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has described the Permanent Secretaries in the State's civil service as the engine room of government, urging them to adopt transparency in the conduct of government businesses.

ABN TV reports that Governor Otti, while holding his first meeting as governor with the permanent secretaries in Umuahia on Tuesday urged them to take charge until a new set of commissioners are appointed by the new government.

At the meeting which took place at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Library Road, Umuahia, Governor Otti congratulated Abia civil servants for their continued service to the state but warned them against undermining the new government, a release by the governor's chief press secretary, Kazie Uko stated.

The statement quoted him as saying, "I want to congratulate all of us for the transitioning to a new administration. Every four years election happen and winners get sworn in. In most places, those who lost become opposition. So, being that we're all winners, I believe that we won't have opposition. But just in case there's opposition, it is also part of governance and democracy.

"We welcome opposition. Constructive engagement is also welcome. Disagreeing with us is part of the business. You can never know it all. If you have an opinion feel free to express it.

"I must tell you that you're the engine room of the government and that's why I thought that the first meeting that I will hold will be with all of you.

"I do know that a lot of you would have different political persuasions and alliances and allegiance, that is not a problem. But what will be the problem is if you begin to undermine the government that you serve and when we notice that, we will not waste time to act because this is a government that must work and anything that stands in the way, we will get it out.

"We will not witch-hunt people and we will not deal with people because of their persuasions, whether it is ethnic, religious and all that. At the end of the day, it is the interest of the state that is paramount."

Dr. Otti, consequently, directed the permanent secretaries to begin to perform the functions of commissioners pending when a new set is appointed by the state governor.

"You will begin to function as commissioners until new commissioners are appointed. I'm sure you understand what I'm saying, that is, that government is a continuum. So ensure you take over and begin to run your different ministries and by the time new commissioners come, you will handover to them.

"I believe some of you were there yesterday when I made my inauguration speech. Everything that I said there, I mean them from A-Z. So things will begin to change.

"This is a familiarisation meeting, where I will listen to you and get to understand what you do; get to understand how you do it and any help or support you require," he declared.

The Governor of Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti has made his first appointments barely 24 hours after his assumption of office.

The offices announced so far include the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday signed Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

The following are the appointed officials of the state government;

1. Prof. Kenneth Kalu -Secretary to the State Government.

2. Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD (Chief of Staff to the Governor).

3. Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo (Special Adviser Health Care Delivery Services)

4. Ferdinand Ekeoma (Special Adviser Media and Publicity)

5. Mr. Kazie Uko (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor)

6. Mrs. Njum Onyemenam, Accountant General

7. Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke ( Head, Special Taskfore on Emergency Cleanup of Aba & Umuahia).