₦airaland Forum

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has finally spoken on the relationship between him and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu who is jostling to succeed him in office in 2023.

The governor who spoke with 'Nigeria Right Now' recently insisted that his deputy never informed him of his intention to contest for the Governorship of Abia State.

He said his deputy had gone everywhere informing others before he was advised to see the governor.

This time, Ikpeazu said it was already late.

He said, "My Deputy didn't tell me he wanted to replace me, he didn't consult me, he had gone everywhere before they advised him to talk to his Governor, when he finally came, I told him he has come a bit late, mind you, I am the only Governor in Abia State that has ran almost 8 years with his Deputy.

"He became very ambitious and refused to consult me, I don't have any place in my heart to harbour bitterness, otherwise I would have done what I should do, everybody knows what a person in my position can do to a recalcitrant Deputy, but I don't think that is a way to go".

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Zone F South East has called on the federal government and political office holders in Abia State to quickly look into the security concerns in the state, particularly the incessant abduction in Umunneochi as well as the ongoing strike by university lecturers, warning that NANS will be forced into embarking on mother of all protests.

NANS Zone F Secretary General Com. Frank Eme Orji who spoke at the Abia Student Community joint press conference said "it is very unfortunate that Nigerian Students in various campuses are facing a very pathetic issue as the case may be regarding the ASUU strike which has made various Nigerian Students not only in Abia state even in Nigeria as the case may be most of them have been faced with a whole lots of challenges because it is said that an idle man is the devil's workshop.

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“At this juncture, we are calling on the federal government to do the needful, it's quite unfortunate that we have a whole lot of them who are not concerned about student welfarism if you come to the state today you will discover there are lots of politicians today celebrating their children because they are all schooling abroad.”

“Coming down to Nigeria we have a whole lot of parents and most students who are training themselves, most of them are unable to afford some certain bills to take care of themselves abroad that's why Government is not interested about what is happening”.

“So we are calling on the federal government to come to our plead, it is quite unfortunate that in a time as this ASUU has embarked on a strike Reasonable has been said or done about these things, and tomorrow you will keep on telling us that we are the future leaders, we believe that we are also today leaders as the case may be we are using this medium to join our voices to call on the federal government to do the need full.”

“Quite importantly we have a very sensitive issue as the case may be which has also given a major concern to the student community, passes by and any other person that has conscience we are talking about the kidnapping case at Uturu Okigwe route that has become more like a routine in the state.”

“We had a very serious case where students community student from Abia state University where the kidnaped ransom was also paid.”

“It is quite unfortunate that we are in this present generation 21 century some persons are been kidnaped? And nothing has been done to ensure that such menace are been taken care of”.

“I most at this juncture also commend the government of Abia state because I know we have able to engage them physically and otherwise we also leant that they initiated some process to ensure that the need full is done.”

“We also want them to also step up to also encourage the security agencies because if you're coming to that route as we speak you discover that this men has even taken it as a job. We also had the news of the Prelate being kidnapped and a ransom of 100 million naira was paid, if such persons were been kidnaped how much more the person that are poor and can't afford such money what is their faith, so we are calling on the government even though we learnt they are doing something about it to also try and hasten it up so the lives of students should not be taken for granted. We believe that security should be taken where off, we also know we have local security agencies, town hall as the case may be”.

“Let me also use this opportunity to reach out to our leaders irrespective of their political parties affiliation may be. We have the Senator representing Abia North district Sen. Orji Ujor Kalu, we also have Hon. Onyejiocha representing Umunnochi/Isikwuato Federal constituency, we have Barr. Emaka Okoroafor and Hon. Okay these are house state members and federal, all these persons are coming from Abia North, they should not say this is Abia state they should leave all the responsibility on Abia state government even though they are still needed to do the need full.”

“If the student community are facing all this it is quite unfortunate, it is also unfortunate that most of them are just interested about the election, their only interest is to come back and know how to do that, but there are priorities that should not be taken for granted.”

“We are calling on all our leaders irrespective of the party even those aspiring for one position or the other, they should come back and put hands together to make sure that this issue is handled the roads are also bad they should do palliatives on that road so that the student community will enjoy their stay, you cannot be a student and you’re learning with fear, you cannot be a student and you have in mind if that if you want to travel your life is equally at risk.”

“At the same time they should also assist the management of Abia state University because we've been able to engage with them critically and otherwise, I know that they have also done their own need full to ensure that the needful is done.”

“So we are calling on the federal government the state government and all this our leaders representing in Abia North to come back and all those that need to be involved to make sure that the need full is done or the Nigerian Students will be left with no other options than to exercise our constitutional franchise which will be a massive protest, we are giving them 7 days from now if nothing is done it will be unfortunate for us to allow Nigerian Students to come down the streets we are going to do it in a way that the government of the day, of the federal, will understand the power of the Nigerian Students.”

With a few days left until the much-awaited Presidential primaries of the All Progressive's Congress (APC) , the Ahmad Lawan Campaign Organisation has approved the appointment of the former Governor of Abia state and current Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as its Director-General. 

Lawan who is also the Senate President and Chairman of National Assembly is running for the office of the Nigeria President alongside 22 others under the platform of the APC. 

Making the disclosure at a high powered meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, well attended by members, the Ahmad Lawan Central Campaign Organisation also announced the appointment of eight other Party Stalwarts as National Executive Officers to sit as chairmen inorder to oversee eight Committees of the  Campaign Organisation. 

The team met behind closed doors to fine tune strategies and consolidate on the gains made so far .  Lawan’s team led by Kalu is expected to strengthen the campaign organization and build a stronger cohesion that would deliver the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to  the Senate President during the presidential primaries,  and ultimately lead him to victory in the general election.

The  names of Chairmen of the eight committees include:

1. Finance and Budget 
Auwal Lawan --Chairman 
Senator Sani Musa--Co-Chairman 

2. Strategy and Planning 
Senator Ikechukwu Obiora --Chairman 
Senator Betty Apiafi --Deputy Chairman
 
3 . Contact and Mobilization 
Senator Barau Jibrin --Chairman 
Senator Peter Nwaoboshi—Deputy Chairman 

4. Media and Publicity 
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi --Chairman 
Femi Fani Kayode--Deputy Chairman 

5.Security and Intelligence 
Mallam Lawal Daura--Chairman 
Commodore Mohammed Barau(Rtrd) --Deputy Chairman 

6.Transport and Logistics 
Senator Bello Mandiya--Chairman 
Hon. Hillary Bisong---Deputy Chairman 

7. Youth Groups 
Prince Mustapha Audu ---Chairman 

8. Women Groups 
Hon. Aisha Ismail--Chairperson

Orji Uzor Kalu is a Nigerian politician and businessperson who is a Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, He also serves as the Chief Whip of the House of Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

He served as the Governor of Abia State, Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007.

In 2007  Orj Kalu, once contested for president under his party, PPA, The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate officially withdrew from the 2023 presidential race and threw his weight behind the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. 

Kalu cited his decision over the refusal of the South-West and South-South regions to support the Southeast's Presidential bid, he slammed presidential aspirants from other regions in the South for what he described as no respect for the South-east and disregard for equity and fairness in playing politics. 

In his statement, the chief whip indicated his willingness to support the North-east which has never produced the President of Nigeria, he has since pinched his tent with the Senate President and has embarked on rigorous campaign on behalf of Lawan.

Orji Uzor Kalu contested in the 2019 Nigerian general election to represent the people of Abia North in the senate, running under the banner of All Progressives Congress. He defeated the incumbent senator Mao Ohuabunwa with over 10,000 votes.

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has again urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider picking the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate of APC ahead of 2023 general elections., ABN TV reports.

Sen. Kalu a former governor of Abia State had a few days ago shortly after the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as PDP presidential candidate called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pick Lawan as his successor in order for APC not to embark on political retirement.

In a release on Thursday, Sen. Kalu said Lawan if elected as the country's next President will stabilise the country, secure all parts of it and take its development seriously.

He said, "I urge President Muhammed Buhari to consider giving Nigeria a man who can give the entire country a sense of belonging; fix our economy; secure all parts of the country; take education very seriously, and protect his legacy.

"The man Nigerians can trust is Senator Ahmad Lawan.

"Picking Ahmad Lawan as the consensus candidate of the APC will heal and stabilize the country as it is the closest to equity, justice, and fairness."

He also advised those who think the presidency of the country can be purchased with money to stop throwing their money around.

He said the Nigerian masses will collect the money and still vote their conscience.

"The earliest Nigerians and presidential aspirants understand that no amount of money can buy the president of the country , the better for everyone.

"It is only cohesion and consensus among the regions that can produce a president. If you throw in money, majority of the electorates will collect the money but still vote according to their conscience.

"If money can buy the office of the president of Nigeria, Late MKO Abiola could have bought it with extra change. If money can buy the president, former President Goodluck Jonathan could have bought the presidential seat in 2015" he noted.

The lawmaker insists that in the absence of a South-East President, North East is closer to fairness, equity, and justice.

"I strongly believe that the fairness Nigerians need is to produce a president from the South East of Nigeria. In the absence of the South-East, it is the North East.

"These two regions are the only ones yet to produce the president of Nigeria and since the opposition has gone North-East, it is ideal and wise that the APC go North-East.

"I am sure Nigerians will not waste their votes on any candidate that is not from the two regions in the next year's general elections and following years," he concluded.

Member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has praised the sterling performance of the Senator representing Abia North at the Red Chamber of National Assembly, Sen. Orji Uzor, saying he has done better than all those who have represented the Senatorial District in the past, ABN TV reports.

Rep. Kalu who doubles as the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives spoke on Saturday in Ohafia shortly after Sen. Kalu was declared winner of APC primary election for the Abia North Senatorial district.

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He said the decision of the people of the constituency to re-elect Kalu to fly the flag of the party in the 2023 general elections is a wise one, adding that they will continue to enjoy the democratic dividends which has become the hallmark of Sen. Kalu's representation since 2019.

"In the history of this Senatorial District, we've not had anybody do the kind of things he has done, not because he's standing here with me, because the facts speak for themselves.

"The development in infrastructure, the interventions, the Bills, the interest to build this district is second to none.

"I'm delighted he is going back there, not because he is my leader and mentor but because he is the right peg for the right hole," he said.

The lawmaker noted that the catalogue of milestones Sen. Kalu is poised to achieve at his second term will surpass the achievements of the past.

Sen. Kalu polled 777 to emerge victorious after his challenger, Fabian Okonkwo stepped down from the contest.

The party had moved the direct mode of primary election to Ohafia, citing security in parts of Abia North.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Abia State chapter of All Progressives Congress APC has published the final list of candidates elected on its platform to stand for the House of Assembly election.

Recall that the party recently conducted primaries in the state where candidates emerged for various elective posts.

ABN TV reports that the list was published by the state Chairman, Mr Kingsley Ononogbu ....

Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has congratulated the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party PDP for electing a North Easterner in the person of former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate ahead of 2023, stating that his has laid to rest permutations about a Southern President in APC, ABN TV reports.

According to the former Abia governor, APC will go on political retirement if it fields a Southerner as its presidential candidate in 2023.

In a statement on Sunday, Sen. Kalu urged the ruling APC to zone its presidential ticket to North East, making a case for President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan as the most suitable candidate.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his influence to pick a successor for himself from the North East.

He said, "Congratulations to the PDP for electing a North Easterner. Nigerians must have seen what I saw yesterday. For our party the APC , it is no longer feasible to talk about Southern candidate except the APC want to go on political retirement.

"I urge the National Chairman of the party and the entire NWC to stamp their feet and zone APC presidential ticket to the North East.

"President Muhammad Buhari has a right to choose his successor and I call on him to pick Senator Ahmad Lawan as his successor. In every democratic setting, presidents and Governors support and pick their successors. I call on President Buhari to pick a successor from North East and that will be the equity the South East need. With North East , the cycle will be closest to completion of regions producing a president of Nigeria.

"By now, all APC aspirants should drop their ambition and support a North Easterner. Senator Ahmad Lawan is the destination.

"Congratulations to North East as we look forward to a president of Nigeria from the North East".

Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah has been declared winner of Abia State APC governorship primary election, ABN TV reports.

He was declared the winner of the direct primary election which took place in the 184 wards in the 17 local government areas of the state by the returning officer, Barr. Perfect Okorie in the early hours of Friday in Umuahia.

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Out of the total of 195,801 votes cast, the former Minister polled 141,952 votes to beat his closest rival, Paul Ikonne who got 27,054.

Others who participated at the direct primary election include, Ikechi Emenike who polled 9,446, Emeka Atuma with 7,429 and Obinna Oriaku with 5,553.

Others are Alex Otti with 2,414 and Daniel Eke who got 1,953.

According to Okorie, the outcome of the election is a reflection of the total will of the people of Abia State.

Recall that on Thursday, Chief Ikechi Emenike was announced the winner of an indirect primary election which took place in Umuahia the state capital.

However, Ogah and other aspirants had kicked again the indirect primary adopted by the Ikechi Emenike faction, stating that it is in contravention with the directive of national leadership of APC.

They insisted that Abia, Benue and Osun were listed to adopt the direct primary as a way of enhancing inclusion.

The Chairman Governing council University of Nigeria Nsukka Chief Ikechi Emenike has won the Abia State governorship primary election of the APC.

He polled a total of 672 votes to defeat his closest rival, Emenike Atuma who got 150.

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This is even as the former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, the Director-General of National Agricultural Land Development Authority, Paul Ikonne, and other aspirants have rejected the outcome of the election, saying the national leadership of the party approved a direct mode of primary and not indirect.

Speaking with ABN TV on Thursday, Ogah listed Benue, Osun, and Abia as states approved for direct primary for governorship.

He said the primary election which produced Ikechi Emenike is invalid and will not be accepted.

According to Ogah, the direct primary election approved by APC will hold as scheduled.

At the primary that produced Chief Ikechi Emenike, Ogah got 6, Chief Dan Okeke 16, Dr. Alex Otti 14, Obinna Oriaku 12, and Paul Ikonne 22.

Chief Emenike was declared winner by the Chairman Guber committee Tony Obiefuna.

In his acceptance speech, he said, "There are alot of external forces that are against the outcome of today's success and this external forces are responsible for the decay and losing we have in Abia state our mission is simple and straightforward, first to rescue Abia State then to develop this State, I can assure you nothing will deter us because you know, they can ancor on powers and principalities but we trust in the Almighty God and it's that God that has brought us this far.

"I assure our party faithful we will not let them down, this victory we must win. They said we cannot win let's go and prove to them that we can and that it's almighty God through us Abia will be saved."

Earlier, former CEO of the defunct Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti had withdrawn from the primary election, citing imposition of candidates.

About 920 were accredited to participate in the election.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's anointed successor, Prof. Uche Ikonne has won the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Abia State.

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He scored 468 to trounce his closest rival, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe who got 45 votes, ABN TV reports.

The returning officer, and former governor of Ekiti State Ayo Fayose had declared Prof. Ikonne winner of the election after polling the highest number of votes.

Shortly before the election on Wednesday which took place at Umuahia township stadium, several aspirants, including the deputy governor of the state, Ude Oko Chukwu, Senator representing Abia South, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Hon. Chima Anyaso and others.

They had cited irregularities and alleged imposition of delegates, stating that it is in contravention with the Electoral Act and constitution of the PDP.

According to the aspirants, the Abia State chapter of PDP never held any congress to elect the 3-man ad-hoc delegates who voted at the governorship primary election.

They had vowed the challenge the alleged irregularities in court.

Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP will today hold its governorship primary election ahead of 2023 general elections.

Security agencies comprising of the Nigerian Army and Police have blocked all the entrances into the Umuahia Township stadium, venue of the primaries.

An SUV belonging to security agencies was sighted parked along Azikiwe by school road, as well as a police van along Ikot ekpene by School road junction and an army truck at the Abia hotel end of the road.

The traffic on the adjoining roads is congested as pupils and workers are experiencing a hard time accessing their school and workplaces respectively.

Venue of the primary election, Umuahia Township Stadium is wearing a new look as delegates are set to cast their ballots.

Recall that the Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe had announced his withdrawal from the primary election, saying Abia State chapter of PDP never held any congress to elect adhoc delegates.

Former Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti has dropped his governorship ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC, saying he'll no longer participate in the upcoming primary election of party, ABN TV reports.

This is even as he said he is ready to pursue his ambition elsewhere in a mission to rescue Abia, a project he insists he will not abandon halfway.

He cited a memo which allegedly emanated from the National Legal Adviser to the Chairman of the APC dated May 18, 2022, which imposed a 'strange sharing formular' on APC aspirants in Abia State as his reason for withdrawing from the race.

He said more than 90% of the aspirants, leaders and stakeholders of the party opposed the decision and subsequently appealed to the leadership of the APC to allow an open contest that would give room for the emergence of popular candidates who would also enjoy the support of party members and the electorate during the general election.

This he expressed regret did not happen, saying, the party is stuck to its decision to go by way of imposition of aspirants.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti insisted that the constitution of the APC and the electoral act have no room for coercion and imposition of candidates, a situation that necessitated the provision for either Direct Primaries, Indirect Primaries, or Consensus as acceptable modes of electing candidates.

He added, "That while the rest of the aspirants had agreed to rally round and support any aspirant that wins the governorship primaries through a free and fair contest, a particular aspirant who obviously believes that he doesn't stand a chance in a proper contest, rather chose to align with outside forces to be imposed on the party. But because we know that any product of imposition for the governorship ticket in the APC at a time like this in Abia would stand little chance in the general election, we strongly opposed it.

"That it's my firm belief that anyone who wants to govern Abia state and Abians, must be someone who has been democratically chosen by the people, and not one imposed by undemocratic or external forces pursuing self serving agenda that would undermine the welfare and wellbeing of Abians at the long run.

"That because I know that no true revolution has ever taken place without hitches and hiccups, my dogged determination and avowed commitment to ensuring the dawn of a new era of progressive and people oriented leadership has rather been emboldened than dampened.

"That because we are on a voyage of Abia redemption, and because the leadership calamity that befell Abia since the return of democracy in 1999 has not abated, we do not intend to quit midway, as that would represent a tragedy of immense proportion for our people who have been on a long search for good governance that would give them a well deserved reprieve.