In a joyous celebration of communal progress, the people of Nne-Ise Ugiri-Ike Community in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State, came together on November 29, 2023, to celebrate and unveil a crucial water project, facilitated through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by an illustrious son of the community, Chief Dr. Uzoma Obiyo.

Obiyo, a business tycoon and foremost philanthropist, had recently facilitated the construction of a Technical school in his community, in addition to several development projects in his community.

Amidst palpable joy and gratitude, the Nne-Ise Ugiri-Ike Community Civic Hall hosted a gathering of community leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers for another giant feat by Dr. Obiyo.

They assembled not only to honour Chief (Dr.) Uzoma Obiyo, KSC, for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of his people, but also to witness the realization of a project to address a historical water scarcity issue in the community.

Even in Chief Obiyo's unavoidable absence at the event, his presence was deeply felt through his Project Manager, Mr. Fidelis Ibe, who played a crucial role in the project's execution.


During the ceremony, community leaders voiced their appreciation for Chief (Dr.) Uzoma Obiyo's tireless efforts in ensuring the progress, development, and advancement of their community.

They highlighted his proactive and generous responses to the needs of the community.

The event enjoyed the esteemed company of numerous dignitaries who extolled his virtues.

Described as a man with a heart of gold and an abundance of human kindness, various speakers at the event underscored Chief Uzoma Obiyo's profound dedication to philanthropy.

Mr. Fidelis Ibe, while addressing the audience, emphasized the crucial importance of water and commended the community for being blessed with a son like Chief Dr. Uzoma Obiyo.

According to him, as the Managing Director of MNET, Chief Obiyo willingly shoulders the responsibility of addressing the basic social welfare needs of the community without additional cost.

Mr. Ibe urged the community to take ownership of the water project, cautioning against potential vandalism and destabilization.

He reminded them that the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs would revisit the project in six months to assess its impact and the security measures put in place to safeguard it.

Appealing to the Town Union President-General and the Eze in Council, Mr. Ibe encouraged them to ensure the effective utilization of the water project to meet the community's needs.

His Royal Highness Eze Levi Iheanyichukwu praised Chief Dr. Uzoma Obiyo and described him as a true patriot committed to the welfare and development of his people.

He urged others to emulate Chief Obiyo's gesture to eradicate water scarcity in the area.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Niger Delta, Mr. Ceaser Uche, emphasized that providing water, electricity, and good roads were integral parts of the social responsibilities fulfilled by Chief Dr. Uzoma Obiyo.

He urged the community to preserve the water project for the benefit of all, emphasizing the need to change the perception of public institutions and development projects as belonging to no particular person.

Mr. Uche further implored the community to manage the water project effectively, ensuring it becomes a lasting legacy for current and future generations.

The day marked not only the fulfillment of a vital community need but also a testament to the power of collaborative efforts and the enduring impact of individuals like Chief Dr. Uzoma Obiyo, who embody the spirit of selfless service and community upliftment.

By Chukwuka Austin

As the governorship election in Imo State comes nearer, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy), has vowed to edify the state, saying such a feat would be feasible by deploying his leadership skills and experiences when he becomes governor.

He said he is not happy that the 3R led government had depleted the state resources with no institution actively functioning due to inordinate ambition, corruption, avarice, selfishness, incompetence and craze for excess wealth.

Interacting with journalists in Owerri, last Saturday, Anyanwu regretted that "the people are living in extreme poverty with poor social amenities: poor healthcare, poor electricity and water supply, dilapidated road, unemployment, irregular payment of workers meager salaries and wages, none payment of pensions to retirees, inflation, poor education, high tuition fees, unhygienic environment, over taxation, touting, highhandedness, intimidation and bullying of opposition members, ruination of local government system, syphoning of ISOPADEC 13% Oil Derivation Funds and LGA allocations, reckless spending, waste of state finance bedeviling the state".

Anyanwu vowed that he will restore Imo State through what he called "good governance, good and people oriented policies and programs if given the chance by Imo people to be their governor".

Hence, he appealed to the people to get ready as to give him their deserved mandate in the November 11 2023 governorship election to enable him and the PDP serve them creditably and humanely, adding that he and his running mate, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, are 100% qualified to govern Imo State and put smile on gloomy faces.

"We are very accessible. We can make Imo safe again because we have the interest and needs of the people at our innermost hearts. PDP is fully coming back to make Imo State safe so that our brothers and sisters can have confidence to come back, live comfortably and peacefully, invest and do genuine businesses in Imo State. We will bring our ideas together to solve insecurity, reduce crime, poverty and vulnerability. We are indeed prepared to govern Imo State to restore the lost dignity of citizens", Anyanwu stressed.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Imo State, has stated that there is no increase yet in workers salary, lamenting over the state government’s non compliance to N40,000 minimum wage to workers.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, had at a stakeholders meeting in Owerri, announced an increase of N10,000 to the N30,000 Minimum wage paid to workers in the State, as part of measures to cushion the biting effects of the removal on fuel subsidy.

The NLC, in a letter to the Governor dated 10/8/2023, signed by the Union’s Chairman, Rev Dr. Nwansi Phillip,(JP) and Chairmen of other affiliate unions, stated that “since after the last salary payment for the month of July 2023, most workers of the state mainly from Grade level 07 to Grade level 14, there has been reports of no addition in the net salary of the category of these workers.

“It was expected that addition of extra N10,000 to the National Minimum Wage of N30,000 and its consequential adjustment could have added much increase to the net take home of these workers.

“It is also observed that the only additions on the salary of workers of this cadre is less than N1,000 and some no additions at all thereby painting the good intentions of Your Excellency of alleviating the pains of Imo State workers due to the removal of fuel subsidy” part of the letter stated.

The Union while expressing gratitude to the governor, called on him “to improve the welfare of Imo State workers including the palliatives the Governor rolled out to cushion the effect of suffering of workers as a result of the increase of cost of living in the country”

As a way out of non compliance to the increment, the NLC suggested “a Committee of Government and Labour be set up to consummate it into a Government Salary table. This will enable each workers of the State know how the increase has reflected on their take home since the only salary table in place in the State is 2011 National Minimum Wage of N20,000”

“We therefore appeal that the addition of N10,000 to the negotiated National N30,000 National minimum wage making it N40,000 Minimum wage for the State as pronounced by His Excellency during the last stakeholders meeting be properly implemented to reflect the good intentions and good will of our amiable governor in order to cushion the negative effect on the fuel subsidy removal” the letter concluded.

https://innonews.com.ng/2023/08/no-increase-yet-in-imo-workers-salary-nlc/

Communications guru, Imo State born Dr. Uzoma Obiyo, recently installed solar power in his community, Nneisi, Ugiri Ike community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.

The philanthropist carried out the project in line with his commitment to boost development in his community.

Business tycoon, Chief (Dr) Uzoma Obiyo, has been commended for facilitating the construction of a school in his community, Nneisi Ugiri- Ike autonomous community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.

Obiyo, the CEO of Multinet Group of Companies, led the representative of the Inspector General of Police, represented by DCP Hadejia and Imo State Commissioner of Education, Prof Johncliff Nwadike, community leaders and others, to commission the school project.

The Commissioning of the school demonstrate his unwavering commitment to aid infrastructure development and aid basic education in his community.

Obiyo, who facilitated the construction of the school through the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, handed over the project to the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, to promote police education in the community.


WATCH VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFxQdgB5AwE&pp=ygUPRHIuIFV6b21hIE9iaXlv

In his speech at the hand-over ceremony, the representative of the Inspector General of Police, DCP Umar Hadejia, commended Dr Obiyo for his efforts in attracting the NDDC, to undertake the construction of the school blocks, offices and other facilities.
He expressed delight over the construction of the project and was optimistic that it would be put to proper and effective use.

In his remarks, the Imo State Commissioner For Education, Prof Johncliff Nwadike, described the school as a special one, which would contribute significantly to the development of Nneisi Ugiri ike community and make the State proud.

He assured of the support of the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for the school.

In his remarks, the President General of Nneisi Ugiri Ike Community, Chief Andrew Ewurum, who represented the Traditional Ruler of the Community, HRH Levi Iheanyichukwu Ezeala, commended Dr.Obiyo for facilitating and attracting the school project in the community.

He promised that the community would make good use of the facilities at the school, which he described as a major leap of development in the community.

In her remarks, the Head Teacher of the School, Mrs Chinyere Nwogu, extolled Dr Obiyo for ensuring the successful completion of the school project.

She also thanked the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Levi Iheanyichukwu Ezeala, for his support and the provision of a permanent site for the school by the community.

In his speech at the event, Dr Obiyo, said the construction of the school came at a period his community were least expecting it and when the community was seeking to be autonomous.

He also called on the community to commend another son of the community, Ogbonnaya Orji, whom he said, deployed his contacts when in service, to attract the school to the community.

He appealed to the representative of the IGP, DCP Hadejia, who is also the Police Federal Education officer, Abuja, to assist the community to complete the Secondary section of the school. He also appealed to the school management to maintain the facilities at the school.

The Communications guru also commended the efforts of the Pioneer Head Teacher, Mrs Mercy Uchegbu, for her relentless commitment to ensure the take off of the school.

The highlight of the event was rendition of songs by pupils of the school, cultural dance display and parade by Special Parade squad of the school, recitation of the National Anthem by pupils in French language, and official hand over of teaching and learning materials by Mrs Uchechi Obiyo .

Business Mogul and Philanthropist of note, Prince Alex Mbata, has been called upon by former Councillors in Owerri zone to officially join the race for Owerri zone senatorial seat.


In a statement signed by over 200 hundred Councillors drawn from the nine local governments that make up Owerri zone, they commended Prince Mbata and his Humanitarian Foundation, for it’s recent empowerment programme.


“The Empowerment Programme by the Prince Alex Mbata Humanitarian Foundation is indeed life saving for our people, the beneficiaries among them are the less privileged and down trodden who have almost lost hope of their means of survival, the words and mouth are not enough to thank you for this laudable gesture.


“The former elected Councillors being the grassroots “Generals” of this democracy, are quite aware of the pains of our people, your timely intervention at this point in time is worthy of commendation”


The Councilors thanked Prince Mbata “for your kind gesture to humanity, your consistent empowerment of the Imo people, and your recent successful empowerment to our people”


The Councillors appealed to Prince Alex Mbata “to consider and vie for Senate position as to represent Imo East Senatorial Zone in the coming 2023 general election, though, you may not have considered it wise to contest for a political office, but we have found you worthy, capable, competent and trustworthy to occupy such sensitive positions that can save and restore hopes of our people”


“However, it is your choice to either accept or reject this request, but, it is obvious that turning down of this appeal will shatter hopes and aspiration of our people. Hence, if our request is accepted, we shall take upon ourselves to mobilize our people to ensure that you do not spend a dime purchasing the Nomination Form, as we shall bear the cost” part of the statement read.

*The Rant By The Rambler*

We have read the traditional rant by the rambler who has shown lack of the capacity to be truthful in private and public.

This time, as always, he lived to his calling as one who is in constant fevered state. What can be funny, more mentally deranging than a man who has taken the entitlements mentality to the most absurdity level.

The question remains, must this man run for every position? Must he represent himself to be used and con people, plant and harvest lies as means of personal survival?

What on this earth would make a man who wants to be taken seriously, trusted and given position of authority take flight from reason, going so lowly to churn out lies against someone everyone knows for his truth, humility, humanness and community services?

The ex this and that, apart from his oily voice which he has constantly used to fool people over time is not known for any other thing altruistic. What would make a man become so deliberate in search for public office that he is ready, willing and able to destroy?

Take for instance, the recent post personally circulated by Chief Jerry Chukwueke where he assumed the combined roles of the interrogator and interrogated, where he maliciously faked an opinion poll, castigating other worthy sons of Owerri Zone while giving himself an unmerited pass mark. In that conjured and fevered post, he took time to talk down on Barr Uche Onyeagocha, Sen Ezenwa Onyewuchi and his personal nemesis, Prince Alex Mbata, whom he for obvious reasons, heaped series of cheap allegations on.

In the interest of decency, Prince Alex Mbata will not come down to the desperate level of Chief Jerry Chukwueke. He will not allow himself to be reduced to the motor park engagements which Chief Chukwueke is known for. He will not lie, abuse or destroy other sons of Owerri Zone for any reason. Prince Alex Mbata is well groomed, respectful, honourable, and has great integrity contents.

No doubt, Chief Jerry Chukwueke's fear is Prince Alex Mbata who he considers as the main opponent to his vaulting ambition to sneak into the Senate. Instead of him, to present his personal score card to the people, he is busy lying and building personality cults and dropping names daily on social media.

His resort to blackmail Prince Alex Mbata using every means is most unfortunate and runs contrary to the rules of decent engagements. For the records, Prince Alex Mbata is a young man God has blessed in every material, social and spiritual sense. He has constantly devoted this blessings to the services of God and humanity. He is not boastful, arrogant or cunning. Mbata is a community man, who loves his people, cares for them and his people in turn, love and care for him.

Mbata is not a social media created personality, he is real. His achievements speak for him. Few mention will suffice here.

1. Built a factory in Owerri in 2004 which provided gainful employment to sons and daughters of Imo State.

3. Have Gas stations and Estates all over the state established by 2004.

3. Donated N20 million to Imo State to assist in the fight against Covid 19 pandemic in 2020.

4. Single handedly built 4.8km road in Owerri North worth N200m

5. Single handedly built 2km road with street lights in Owerri Municipal.

6. Through PAM Foundation, embarked on free education program in Owerri.

7. Built and assisted Churches.

8. Doled out over N500 million worth of equipment to over 3000 indigenes of Owerri Zone drawn from the 104 Wards under the PAM Foundation Program and more.

These are evidences of Mbata's capacity and ability to do more for the good people of Owerri Zone. It is on record that Prince Alex Mbata has *NEVER ASKED, RECEIVED OR EXECUTED ANY STATE OR FEDERAL CONTRACT* As the cliche goes, *talk is cheap but facts are sacred* Prince Alex Mbata has prior to Rochas's goverment in 2011, been established as a billionaire through hardwork and God's blessings. No one can take away this fact, politics or no politics.

Finally, while Prince Alex Mbata has committed himself to a decent conduct devoid of bitterness, abuse, allegations and accusations, he will be ready, willing and able to confront these liars with the verifiable facts/documents of their malfeasance.

Those who go to equity, it is said, must go with clean hands.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commenced moves to lure aggrieved stakeholders and members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Imo State, to the fold of the opposition party.

Leading the poaching spree in the South East for the party is the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who led some members of the National Working Committee, NWC, to woo Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

Two weeks ago, Kalu had hosted the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

Details of Anyanwu’s visit to Kalu was sketchy, but sources said it was part of moves by the PDP to bring back it’s erstwhile members to its fold.

Aside Kalu, PDP’s searchlight is said to be beaming on some aggrieved stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the South East, particularly in Imo State.

Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and others are among aggrieved stakeholders of the APC in Imo State. They are not on the same page with Governor Hope Uzodimma, who has taken absolute control of the party structure in the State after the Ward, LGA and State congresses.

Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate and Senator Araraume, may have temporarily foreclosed the idea of leaving the APC on the basis of latest developments surrounding their political sojourn.

Senator Okorocha is said to be pushing his presidential ambition on the APC platform, having reportedly received endorsements from several groups across the country who are urging him on to contest the 2023 Presidency.

Araraume, baring unforeseen circumstances, remains the Chairman, Board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company.

However, the PDP may be eying political followers of the duo, such as Okorocha’s son in law and former governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu, some members of the House of Representatives from Imo State such as Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Hon Paschal Obi and Hon Kingsley Uju. The trio are adjudged long time allies of Senator Okorocha.

With re election cloudy for the trio and other Okorocha’s loyalists seeking to return to various elected public offices in 2023 in the APC, there are indications that the PDP may be their next political abode.

A source in the know of the emerging political undercurrents in the State told INNONEWS that “The PDP remains the attractive and viable option for Okorocha’s men because with the APC in Imo State in the grip of Governor Uzodimma, they cannot get nomination tickets to contest”

INNONEWS was informed that some top PDP egg heads will grace the funeral of the mother of Uche Nwosu, scheduled to hold on December 22nd. The event is expected to serve as a platform for “cross pollination of ideas” between PDP and Okorocha’s political foot-soldiers.

Senator Anyanwu had shortly after his emergence as PDP National Secretary at the party’s national convention said many APC members will join the PDP.

https://innonews.com.ng/2021/12/2023-pdp-on-poaching-spree-eyes-okorochas-men-aggrieved-imo-apc-stakeholders/

Owerri zone has been plagued by absence of a credible platform for leaders of the zone to congregate to advance the political future, economic growth and development of the zone.

In the past, groups such as Ogbako Owerre, Owerri Solidarity Front, OSF and many others were at the forefront of this cause. All these groups have waned though they recorded considerable impact, while championing their aims and objectives.

Owerri zone also had men and women of impeccable character who championed the cause of the zone without fear or favour. Their labour were not in vain.

However, a new era has sprung up in the zone with the emergence of another set of leaders propelled by a burning desire to ensure that the toil of heroes past of Owerri zone were not in vain.

Some of these leaders, mainly men and women of exceptional quality, have showed commitment to the cause of the people of the zone.

Prominent among them is Dr. Alex Mbata, the business tycoon, the charming Prince from Ngwoma Obube in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, a philanthropist who is respected for taking the act of philantrophy to the next level.

Dr. Mbata has combined philantrophy, political sagacity and business acumen-all wrapped in one- to project the cause of the zone.And he is unrepentant about it. He believes in the progress and development of the zone, without losing sight of the fact that Owerri zone must collaborate with sister geo political zones, such as Orlu and Okigwe to attain political advancement.

He has also brought a new dimension to Owerri zone politics.He has emerged one of the pillars, a rallying point for majority of emerging political leaders and Leaders of Thought, including those who share his ideals and who believe in the political advancement of the zone.

In words and action, Dr.Mbata has showed an unrepentant determination to move Owerri zone forward. He makes no pretenses about it.

Early this year, he led some political leaders of the zone to pass a vote of confidence on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, a move widely described as symbolic and strategic for a zone, which believes that after the end of Uzodinma's two terms in office, the next State Governor should come from Owerri zone.

Dr. Mbata believes in strategic thinking and timely execution, twin attributes which has catapulted him as a business czar and a top player in oil and gas, real estate and key sectors of the Nigeria's economy.

As a leader of men, Dr. Mbata has brought style and panache to Owerri Zone introducing economic rearmament for the people as a vital tool for political accomplishment. He has taken cognizance of the depth of socio economic plague, such as unemployment and deficit in infrastructure which haunt the zone.

He seldom brandish his accomplishments for the zone, but wailers will always wail that he is a man of few words, more of action as he did recently, by quietly constructing a 2km road with street lights and drainage in the heart of Owerri Municipal, a clear exhibition of his conviction that more critical infrastructure in the zone is important.

Human capacity development is Prince Mbata’s, watchword, as evidenced in his several empowerment programme for thousands of indigent persons in the zone with various forms of empowerment.

Indigent men, women, youths are captured in Mbata’s help net, which he has orchestraed via the Prince Alex Mbata Humanitarian Foundation (PAM).

Combining philanthropy with politics is the Alex Mbata style, a unique approach, which reflects his firm conviction that politicking without economic empowerment has no value.

Aside striving to glue the collective aspiration of the people of the zone together, he has emerged a leader of men, filling a yawning leadership vacuum which has existed in the zone for a long period.

This is vintage Mbata, a quiet achiever known for few words but noted and respected for giant strides.

The suspension of six members of Imo State House of Assembly, opens a pandora’s box of strange events, political and social, which now plague our State.

This is not the first time lawmakers of the State of Assembly are suspended. And when such occur, it is trailed by several interpretations.

When Acho Ihim was Speaker of the 8th Assembly, some members were also suspended for ‘parliamentary misconduct’, a term coined to axe lawmakers who refuse to fall in line.

The ‘parliamentary misconduct’, we later understood, was the refusal of some members to take part in the impeachment of the then Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere.

Several tales have been propounded why the six members were sacked by the current Speaker, Paul Emeziem. The six cut across the two dominant political parties in the House- the APC and PDP.

The Speaker had also accused the six members of ‘parliamentary misconduct’.He did not dove tail what he meant by using such terminology. But those with sixth sense, will decode that the six lawmakers were suspended because they were found on the wrong side of the divide.

If it’s a football match, they were caught offside. And the referee and the linesmen concurred.And a check on VAR, confirmed they were offside.

What is evident is that, there are skirmishes in the House. Not all the members are on the same page. And they are not expected to. Interests and affiliation differ among members. As their faces are different, so are there thoughts and intentions.

And when there is such development,
shifting cultivation takes place. Whoever gets shifted, cries foul.Members resort to undo each other. The end product, is bickering, mutual suspicion among members.

Our Assembly members have not began to fling chairs at each other, or resort to break each other’s head with bottles, which is an indication, that they are still civil and gentlemen.
They have not downgraded to touts, who use weapons to fight each other when divisive issues arise.We never saw such ugly incidents when the famous six were suspended.

But it had happened in Rivers State and some other States in the federation.The 'desecreation' of the State legislature in some States led to the mace being taken to Government House, the dome of the Executive, for safe keeping.

Across the country, House of Assemby members have ceased to be a check and balance on the Executive.They have sold their royal oaths, by abdicating their constitutional responsibility, as a check on the Executive.

When House members cease to be legislators and choose to become errand boys of the executive, they are bound to be tossed around when they suddenly want to be assertive.

The under currents which shaped the suspension of six lawmakers of Imo House of Assemby is still shrouded in secrecy. Only the actors and co actors involved in the entire saga know the crux of the matter. It’s a game of chess laden with riddles and uncertainty.

We are yet to hear the full gist, the untold story, the undercurrents. And until we do, we hope the unfolding development which trailed their suspension does not get messier.

What has happened in the Imo State House of Assemby is “Imocadabra”, an evolving strange mix of deception and deceit, which has crept in the socio political lexicon of the State. Only time is the temporary barrier hindering it’s manifestation in other spheres

The Chief Priest of Owerre (Onye Ishi Ala), Reginald Ejiogu on Monday, stormed the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, AIFCE, Owerri, with an ‘Omu’ signaling danger ahead for students and management of the citadel of learning, over the killing of an ancestral python, called Eke Nworie

Recently students of the institution had killed the gigantic python, an act considered a sacrilege, within the norms and tradition of Owerre.



The Chief Priest had emphasized on the need for cleansing, to avert occurrence of strange incidents over the murder of the ancestral python.

In a letter to the management of Alvan, the Chief Priest, demanded that “the College management must appear before him (the Chief Priest) for cleansing upon receipt of the Notice on or before seven days”

He noted that the murder of the python “is a sacrilege and violation of our culture more especially in this time of our festival season which is our week of peace”

INNONEWS was informed that a similar incident had occured between 1979-1980 during the construction of Wethedral/Christ Church Road, Owerri, when some foreign contractors killed the “Eke Ala Owerre” python, the forebearer of the “Eke Nworie” python killed by students of Alvan.

An attendant to the Chief Priest told this newspaper “When the foreign contractors killed the Eke Ala Owerre python, strange things began to occur. There were mysterious deaths among the contractors. There were breakdown of their machines.

“At a stage, they abandoned the road project, until they were cleansed by the then Chief Priest of Owerre, (Onye Ishi Ala Owerre), Late Eke Igwe Nwoduo Ejiogu

He continued “The management of ALVAN think this is a joke. This is a spiritual matter, and they seem not to understand the gravity of killing that ancestral python

“The consequences are monumental, devastating because the land has been descreated. And it must be cleansed immediately.

“You do not kill Eke Nworie python. It is not done. It is a sacrilege with serious consequences that are just to terrible to mention.

“This is why the Chief Priest had to come here today (at Alvan) to put this ‘Omu’ which signifies danger ahead. No one should blame us if strange things begin to happen.

“Only the Chief Priest, no one else, is spiritually fit to do the cleansing and not anyone else” he stated.

Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles of Nigeria Coach, has failed to uplift the national team. The German- Franco born tactician has managed 21 wins in 53 games, since he took charge of the Super Eagles in 2016.

He led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the Eagles crumbled to the superior football fireworks of Argentina. The team crashed out in the first round of the mundial.

Rohr thereafter led the Eagles to a third place at AFCON 2019 held in Egypt, after losing to a more prepared Desert Warriors of Algeria in the Semi Final. The Algerians went ahead to win the tournament.

Another feat the German recorded in his stuttering handling of the Super Eagles, is the recent qualification of the team for another AFCON tournament to hold in Cameroun in 2022.

Rohr may have scrapped his way to achieve these feats, but the fact is, he is yet to meet the expectations of Nigerians, which is to guide the present Super Eagles, to win a major football tournament and become one of the football giants in Africa and the globe.
“Rohr has not shown impressive technical abilities to build a Super Eagles team, that inspires hope and confidence in Nigerians“

He lacks the quality of a modern coach. He has displayed little or no confidence to build a technically suave Super Eagles team that can compete with other football nations.

Rohr do have the players to realize these expectations, but he seems to be bereft of the ability to blend together, the budding talents of hundreds of Nigerian players who play both in the domestic and foreign leagues. He is short of the requisite technical competence to give Nigerians, the Super Eagles of their dreams.

Rohr’s technical decline has manifested in series of dour games, with no win in his recent games of the Super Eagles.The latest is a scrappy, fumbling and wobbling 0-0 draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in an international friendly played in Austria.

The Eagles under Rohr’s tactless management had lost 0-1 to the same Cameroonian team days before the scoreless draw. The team in both games, put up shoddy and poor performances. Rohr claimed the results of the matches are irrelevant. What is important, according to him, is to play more friendly games, to give the players opportunity to showcase themselves.

This exposes his poor knowledge of the football rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroun. If he understands the history of both countries in African football, he would have not gambled with a game with Cameroun, who have remained Nigeria’s perennial football adversary.

Rohr has not shown impressive technical abilities to build a Super Eagles team, that inspires hope and confidence in Nigerians. He has experimented with over 150 players since he took charge of the team five years ago. Under Rohr, the Super Eagles have been displaying un-cordinated style of play that lacks depth, a departure from the classy display of most of the players for their various clubs in Europe.

“Rohr’s technical decline has manifested in series of dour games, with no win in his recent games of the Super Eagles.The latest is a scrappy, fumbling and wobbling 0-0 draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in an international friendly played in Austria”

That the Super Eagles failed to score in the double header against Cameroun, had raised questions on the technical proficiency of Gernot Rohr who has not been able to develop a potent attacking force for the team.

He had two strikers for the Cameroun friendly. Kelechi Iheanacho, and Paul Onuachu. The duo had collectively scored 45 goals for their various European clubs last season. Onuachu was the top goal scorer in Belgian league, where he scored more than 30 goals for his club, Genk. Iheanacho scored 15 goals for English Premier League club, Leicester City and aided the club to win the English FA Cup. The two players fired blank in the two friendly games against the Indomitable Lions because of Rohr’s poor placements of the two strikers.
“Under Rohr, Super Eagles have been displaying un-cordinated style of play that lacks depth, a departure from the classy display of most of the players for their various clubs in Europe”

Rohr is one of the few coaches, who have enjoyed considerable time to manage the Super Eagles. He has spent five years thus far as Eagles Coach, equaling the same period, Clemence Westerhof and Jo Bonfere, were in charge of the Eagles.

Westerhof led the Eagles from 1989- 1994, winning the AFCON in 1994 and led the team to a spectacular debut at the World Cup in USA same year, where they nearly reached the Quarter Finals, before a Roberto Baggio late equalizer and extra time goal sent the Azzurris of Italy into the Round of 8.

The Dutchman did not only won laurels for the team, he erected one of the best Super Eagles squad in history, bringing to the fore, a golden generation of players such as Austin Okocha, Rashidi Yekini, Sunday Oliseh, Daniel Amokachi, etal.

Bonfere Jo, who was Westerhof’s assistant, also within four years in charge of the Super Eagles, 1996- 2000, continued on the path of Westerhof, winning an Olympic Soccer Gold Medal in Atlanta in 1996 and reached the final of AFCON 2000 in Lagos.

What has Rohr achieved in five years in charge of the Super Eagles? A wobbling, scrappy team with enormous talents but plagued by poor technical depth. The NFF should reflect, pause and ponder on Gernot Rohr.

Governor Hope Uzodimma is said to have set a template which will influence the choice of new Commissioners and other appointees of his administration, INNONEWS gathered.

Uzodimma had last month sacked 20 of his Commissioners, retaining nine of them.

Last week, he sacked over 100 aides, who are Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants, SSAs encapsulated in the Expanded Exco, in what appears a major sweep of his officials he had appointed in March 2020.

Information and Strategy Commissioner, Declan Emelumba, reportedly said that the sack of the appointees, is geared towards ‘re jigging’ the administration for improved service delivery to the people.

INNONEWS was informed that Governor Uzodimma had appointed a large number of appointees to settle those who in one way or the other assisted and stood with him during his race to become governor of the state.

A source told this newspaper that “those days are gone. Now that he has settled majority of those who contributed to his campaign and ascension as governor, this is the time he will assemble his core loyalists to assist him run his government.

“A small government is being considered with fewer officials and not the crowd of appointees that dominated the past executives.

“This administration is about to enter the second half of its tenure, and this is the time to separate the wheat from the chaff and get the right team to carry out the task ahead

“This is the time to bring on board the real foot-soldiers of the governor who will help deliver the core mandate of this administration to the people of the state

“Some of the sacked Commissioners may be retained. There is so much lobby and pacification. Some of those who erred are begging and lobbying to return. It is the governor’s discretion to reconsider or not. He is really disappointed with most of them. Some of the sacked SAs may be upgraded. It is a win or lose situation for those who were recently sacked.

“Certain political interests will be accommodated. The APC, our party needs to be energized. Camp Hope members alone cannot call the shots all the time. This is why the outcome of the party congress will determine who gets what in the new phase of the administration. It’s a waiting game, and remember, the Governor has the exclusive right to choose who works with him” the source told this newspaper.

SOURCE: INNONEWS

A chieftain of All Progressive Congress, APC, in Imo State, Chief Mike Nwachukwu, has lashed out at the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for politicizing insecurity in Imo State.

In a statement titled "That Peace Shall Reign In Imo", which he signed and made available to newsmen in Owerri, he stated that "the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State, and other opposition elements, should also refrain from politicizing the unfortunate situation in Imo State.

"The negative stance of the PDP on a serious issue, such as insecurity is unfortunate and unacceptable.

"This is not time for politics or to reap political capital from the frightening level of insecurity in the State

"Leaders of the PDP in the State should be reminded that it is only when there is peace in the land that electoral or political contest can take place.

"I urge them to rather join hands with the APC led administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma to find a lasting solution to the monster of insecurity in tbe State.

Nwachukwu who had vied for Owerri zone Senatorial seat in 2019 on the platform of APGA, called for support for Governor Hope Uzodimma to fight insecurity.

"In this regard, all hands must be on deck to tackle insecurity in Imo State before it gets out of hand.

"I call on all stakeholders in the State, political leaders, traditional rulers, the Clergy, not to keep silent or see the unfortunate events of the past few weeks, as an opportunity to take an undeserved swipe on the administration of Dist.Senator Hope Uzodimma, while Imo burns or head to golgotha.

"Governor Hope Uzodimma, through his 3R mantra has firmly provided good governance to the good people of Imo State and has been on the right track towards the provision of the much needed road infrastructure in our dear State" Nwachukwu stated

The South East geo political zone is on the verge of losing out in the 2023 political calculus if ongoing political development in the country is anything to go by.

This was disclosed by a group, South East Vanguard For Good Governance, in a statement in Owerri and signed by its President, Fred Okenwa and Secretary, John Okolisa.

The group said the two leading political parties in the country, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will not hand an Igbo its presidential tickets in the 2023 presidential election.

The group stated that this implies that the chances of an Igbo producing Nigeria’s President will be a mirage in 2023, as the two major political parties in the country will zone its presidential tickets to the North and South West respectively.

“The APC has shown clearly that it will not allow an Igbo to fly its Presidential ticket in 2023. The ongoing battle in the party is all about 2023 and Igbos are not in contention. “It is evidently clear that South East have no stake in the APC. The presidential ticket of the APC will dangle between the South West and the North.

“Already, Bola Tinubu, has not hidden his desire to contest for the presidential ticket of the party using the APC platform and all calculations point to the fact that he is well rooted in the party. Which Igbo man is grounded in the APC, to challenge Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket when the chips are down?

“The APC is not grounded in the South East unlike in the South West where the entire zone is in the grip of the APC. Already, the odds are against the South East in the ruling party. We have never voted for the broom party since 2015.So, how would they concede its Presidential ticket to a zone which never voted for it in the last two general elections.

The Forum further stated that the PDP will not zone its Presidential ticket to the South East geo political zone.

Part of the statement reads “There are clearer indications that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, may pick the PDP presidential ticket again in 2023.

“If this happens, where does this leave the South East zone. As usual, we will play the second fiddle by either producing a running mate to one of the presidential candidates, possibly the PDP. If the Presidential ticket of the APC goes to the South West, certainly the South East cannot produce a running mate” the group stated

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/2023why-apc-pdp-will-not-concede-its-presidential-tickets-to-south-east/

There is tension in Imo State as sacked but court reinstated local government chairmen elected during the reign of former Governor Rochas Okorocha, may have concluded plans to take over the 27 Local Government Councils in the State.

This is not going down well with the Imo State Police Command, Owerri, which warned on Sunday that it will foil any attempt by the Chairmen to do so.

In a statement in Owerri, signed by SP Ikeokwu Godson Orlando, Police Public Relations Officer,the command warned “those trying to cause problems to desist from this act that is capable of leading to breakdown of law and order as the Command will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone taking laws into his/her own hands”

The full statement reads:

“It has come to the notice of the Imo state Police Command that the ousted Local Government Chairmen and their supporters are planning to forcefully take over office simultaneously on Monday 13/7/2020. This is sequel to the claim that the Federal High court ruling is in their favour. The appeal and stay of execution to that ruling has been received by the office of the Commissioner of Police Imo State. Just on 09/07/2020, the Appeal Court Order for the parties involved to maintain status quo.

‘The Command therefore wish to warn those trying to cause problems to desist from this act that is capable of leading to breakdown of law and order as the Command will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone taking laws into his/her own hands.

“The Command is fully aware of the court judgement directing them to return to office, and also the stay of execution and status quo obtained by the Interim Management committee.

“To this end the command wish to warn both parties to maintain status quo as directed by the court until a final judgement is pronounced.

“The command wish to state clearly that it will be ready to enforce and ensure the execution and compliance of the court judgement as soon as all legal processes are exhausted and verdict received.

“Similarly,the IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND wish to remind all the parties involved that the Covid 19 restrictions and directives is still in existence, as such, the ban on all forms of gathering/assembly is still in place, there shall therefore be no protest or gathering of any kind. Any person or group of persons found violating this executive order as issued by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.

“Members of the public are advised to go about their lawful business as the Command is still in the business of protecting lives and properties.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/07/police-issue-stern-warning-to-ousted-imo-lga-chairmen/

BY CONSTANCE EKE

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has said Igbos should bother about a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and not Igbo Presidency in 2023.

He made the remark after hosting South East leaders of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Owerri.

The delegation to the meeting was led by former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, Minister of State, Education, Dr. Emeka Nwajiuba, and Sir Frank Ibezim.

He said ’What should bother the Igbo is Nigerian President of Igbo extraction and not Igbo President of Nigeria.

“South East is part of Nigeria, South East leaders exhibit all qualities and capabilities for good governance and as such believe that APC as the ruling party in Nigeria will make the right decision at the appropriate time.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/07/uzodinma-reveals-what-should-bother-igbos-in-2023/

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, Chief Anselem Okebata, has mocked plans to reconcile former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.(Sam Daddy)

Newspaper reports in Owerri had claimed that some top chieftains of the PDP such as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, are worried over the rift between Ihedioha and Anyanwu in Imo PDP

Okebata who spoke to INNONEWS in Owerri, said the proposed reconciliation between Ihedioha and Anyanwu, is a good one but will not see the light of the day if certain considerations are not considered.

He said “There is no genuine reconciliation in politics Ihedioha and Anyanwu can never reconcile. The only way unity can return to the PDP in Imo State is for Ihedioha to shelve his governorship ambition in 2023.You and I know that the latter will not agree to do so. But that is the only way we can start achieving reconciliation in the party.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/07/pdp-chieftain-gives-reasons-why-ihedioha-sam-daddy-will-not-reconcile/
https://innonews.com.ng/2020/07/pdp-chieftain-gives-reasons-why-ihedioha-sam-daddy-will-not-reconcile/
“The PDP in Imo State needs a new face for the next election. If Ihedioha insists on running again, then there can be no unity or reconciliation with Senator Anyanwu

“You don’t gloss over issues or sweep matters under the carpet. Anyanwu, till date believes that Ihedioha truncated the process that gave him the governorship ticket of Imo PDP in 2018

“Ihedioha manipulated his lackeys in the party to suspend Anyanwu. That has to be corrected. How can you suspend someone whom the national leadership of the party has continued to give assignments? The suspension on the Senator by the party in the State is a sham and has to be revisited for genuine reconciliation to come to pass

“For genuine reconciliation to thrive in Imo PDP, there should be fresh congresses and a level playing field should be provided in the party for everyone.

“Almost all major stakeholders in Imo PDP have absconded because there is no level playing ground for other stakeholders including Senator Anyanwu

“One man is in total control of the entire party structure in the State. This is not right. Those proposing reconciliation between Ihedioha and Anyanwu should take all these issues into consideration, except they want to pay lip service in reconciling the duo.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/07/pdp-chieftain-gives-reasons-why-ihedioha-sam-daddy-will-not-reconcile/

Hon (Mrs) Uju Onwudiwe, member representing Njaba State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, has opened up how she escaped death by the whiskers after escaping a bottle attack flung at her by a male colleague.

Mrs Onwudiwe was attacked by member representing Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency, Hon.Samuel Otuibe, who flung bottles at her during a meeting of House members which took place at the residence of the Deputy Speaker, Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

The meeting centered on non payment of salaries of House members and their aides for three months

Trouble was said to have begun when another female member of the House, Hon Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, was addressing the meeting, Hon.Otuibe rudely interrupted her. This irked Mrs Onwudiwe who advised Otuibe to allow Hon.Obiefule to conclude her speech.

This infuriated Otuibe who picked up a wine bottle and flung at the female lawmaker

Speaking on her ordeal, Hon Onwudiwe said she was shocked at the incident, describing the act as a clear attempt to kill her.

She said before the bottle was flung towards her, two of her colleagues, Hon Heclus Okoro and Fred Nnodumele, had blocked it before the object landed in her direction.

She said Hon.Otuibe did not only throw her bottles but also flung at her a glass cup which injured Hon Okoro and Nnodumele and destroyed the window blinds in the building.

She said she had done no wrong to Hon Otuibe as both of them were neither friends, stating that his colleague’s action was deliberate as he was playing out a script.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/07/imo-assembly-female-member-who-escaped-bottle-attack-from-colleague-opens-up/

Imo State is not in short supply of men and women of exceptional quality. It is a State noted for producing men and women of fine character, who have left indelible marks on the sand of history.

Within the country, from Abuja to Lagos, they abound. Across the globe, from Atlanta to Milan, down to London, Imolites with the burning passion for the development and growth of their State are legion.They are found in various fields of human endeavour, where they have not only proved their mettle but attained commanding and enviable heights.

In medicine, in politics, in technology, in industrialization, in sports, Ndi Imo are not in short supply.
The gains inherent in such milestones have not trickled down to Imo State. Imo like any other underdeveloped state in Nigeria is hunted by poor governance that has resulted in impoverishing its people. The successes of its finest, at home and in Diaspora, have not benefited its people. This is a sad tale, a pathetic story. No State government, past or present, has deemed it appropriate to congregate Imo’s finest and explore their successes for the benefit of the people.

Imo State is not only in dire need of rapid development. It is begging for progress and prosperity. No economy has thrived on the strength or capacity of the government alone.Well to do individuals has contributed in no small measure to uplift a state or nation. In industrialized democracies, individuals have shaped economies and the citizenry have been the ultimate benefactors.

Enter Edozie Onyeako, a successful industrialist from Aji Community in Oru West Local Government Area, of Imo State, who has made remarkable success in Nigeria’s turbulent industrial and manufacturing sector. He is rated by all standards, one of Imo’s finest, a gentleman, soft spoken and filled with passion for the good of the state.

Onyeako belongs to the category of few successful Imolites who have attained Olympian heights in a chosen field of endeavour. He is among the very few successful manufacturers from the South East who have weathered the storm, overcome daunting challenges which plague every facet of Nigeria’s economic sector, particularly the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Onyeako towers high in these sectors. He is a success story. Many attest that he posses the midas touch, having set up and nurtured to success Cospharma Nigeria Limited, a manufacturing firm based in Lagos, which remains a success story in the manufacturing sector of the country.The success of the company reflects in the high number of Nigerians employed by the firm irrespective of tribe or religion.

Re enacting the gains of such milestone for his beloved Imo State, has been uppermost in the mind of Onyeakor. He recalls with sadness how his efforts to build a similar factory in his beloved Imo State, that would employ hundreds of Imo youths, and boost the industrial sector in the State, was hampered by lack of a condusive environment to do so. He fumes at this sorry development.

Hear him “When I wanted to set up a factory in the State, the place they called the industrial hub in the State, was in total state of decay and that gave me an insight on the challenges faced by other prospective investors who want to invest in the State.

Not daunted, Onyeako and his partners went ahead to set up a multi billion naria integrated factory on Owerri-Onitsha road.

He is one of the few Imolites whose passion for the development of Imo State cannot be limited by government’s inadequacies. He has not given up on his State because he believes in the “can do it spirit”. He used Nnewi as a case- study.

Hear him again “Nnewi, became what is today out of nothing. The can do it spirit among Nnewi businessmen made the place what it is today. Nnewi was abandoned and ignored by the Government. But the people of Nnewi stood up for themselves and decided to make Nnewi great. The businessmen in Nnewi came together and made it to grow. Today, Nnewi is an industrial hub in the South East.

Onyeakor firmly believes that Imo State can develop at a rapid pace if it embraces industrialization. For him, agriculture and industrialization are key propellers to the growth of any economy. Imo has what it takes to become another Nnewi. He believes they will drive Imo State to the destination of its progress and development.

He said “We must begin now to take urgent steps to boost other sectors in Imo State such as agriculture and also encourage industrialization. If 20 percent of the hotels in Imo State were to be industries, Imo State would have been a major industrial hub in the country. Agriculture sustains an economy while industrialization grows it. We can feed our people, we can also feed others. We have the capacity to do it.

His passion for his dear Imo State cannot be over emphasized. He radiates a burning desire with an unquenchable thirst for the good of his dear State. How he translates his vision remains a puzzle, in a state plagued by incoherent policies of successive governments, which has failed to embolden legion of Imo’s finest.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/encounter-with-edozie-onyeako-one-of-imos-finest/

The political landscape in Imo State has a record of intrigues and unfolding dynamics, which most times have made nonsense of political permutations of political analysts and observers.

The political episode in the State in 2019 is a case study, as bookmakers never believed that Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressive Congress, APC, would become Governor of Imo State after Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had been elected as Governor.

However, 2023 may be three years away, but the political permutations are beginning to surface in the two leading political parties, as political actors in both parties, begin plans to actualize their political targets.

Nothing is certain in politics particularly in Imo State, but unfolding events at the moment tend to give an insight of what may occur in the political arena of the State in 2023.

Emerging Dynamics In Imo APC

There are ongoing political permutations in the ruling party which may determine the direction of Imo APC from now to 2023. An impending political tsunami also looms judging from ongoing political developments in the party.

Governor Hope Uzodinma may go up against some powerful forces such as Senator Ifeanyi Ararauume and former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who have an eye on the party structure except there are political alignments and realignments, political concessions, deals or negotiations among the political gladiators before the 2023 elections.

Araraume is most likely to go to the Senate for Okigwe zone in 2023 on the grounds that the new drama in the APC at the national level favours him.

The emergence of a new power bloc in the APC led by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, may be a plus for Araraume who is believed to be an ally of the former Rivers State Governor.

The Special National convention of the APC expected to hold in December 2020 will further open up the party to trickier political intrigues in the State.

Governor Hope Uzodinma who has lost his major backbone in the party such as the former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, may realign with new forces in the party at the national level, to enable him maintain his grip of the APC in the State. If he succeeds, then a second term ticket will be in the offing, but with considerable resistance from forces who may not be favoured.

PROJECTION: intense crisis looms.

New Wave In Imo PDP

Political permutations in Imo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP may change slightly from now to 2023. It is expected that there will be “fresh forces” that may contest the soul of the party with former Governor of Imo State, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

Agitations for a “fresh face” to fly the party’s governorship flag in 2023 will become more intense within the confines of the party.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who has been eying the governorship ticket of the party for long is expected to make another strong push for the ticket in 2023 this time with so much adrenaline and firepower.

The outcome of the PDP National Convention where fresh party officers will emerge will shape and determine a lot in the party in the State. It will determine who will eventually call the shots in the party ahead of the 2023 polls.

A new wave of turbulence may also blow up in the party but Ihedioha looks good to maintain considerable grip as part of his game plan to stage a comeback in 2023.

Projection: Rebuilding Process Will Be Intense, Turbulence In The Offing

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/2023-political-permutations-in-imo-apc-pdp/

following the revelation by the Imo State Task Force on Covid 19 on the increasing rate of confirmed coronavirus cases in the State, Governor Hope Uzodinma, has been advised to order a second lock-down of the State.

The Imo Awareness Coalition, a watchdog group in the State, in a statement signed by spokesman of the Coalition, Fidelis Echendu, said the revelation by the Task Force on the rate of the spread of the virus in the State “is shocking and demands urgent action”.

“The Governor deserves commendation for his broadcast where he reeled out measures to further contain the spread of the virus.

“But the shocking revelation by Prof Iwu led Committee who said there are over 200 cases in the state, is worrisome. The state government should do more to curtail the spread of the virus in the State.

“We, the Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, based on media reports credited to Prof Iwu call for another lockdown of the State for two weeks.

“The lock-down is the only way to reduce the spread of the virus. Governor Uzodinma should take a cue from his Lagos State counter- part, Baba Jide Sanwolu, who had to rescind his decision to re- open churches, mosques and gatherings in Lagos State.

“The safety of our people is paramount and we must go beyond telling them to observe covid 19 protocols.

“The time to act is now else Imo State will become the epicenter of covid 19 in the South East zone and this will not augur well for the people and economy of the State” Echendu said.

Recall that Imo State COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Maurice Iwu, had expressed concern over rising cases of coronavirus in the state and called for holistic approach to combating the scourge.

He said the virus was unprecedentedly spreading with a cumulative positive reality of 1,461 cases, the highest in the state so far.

According to Iwu, of this number, 247 cases came out positive, 1,214 negative, 16 persons are in isolation at WODDI centre, while 45 are on self-isolation with 20 discharged.

He noted that the state had lost three persons already to the pandemic, hence the need to abide by the governor’s desire that restrictions on movement from 8pm to 6am be maintained with inter-state travel ban still enforce.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/second-lockdown-will-reduce-spread-of-covid-19-in-imogroup-tells-uzodinma/

The Chairman of Imo State COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Maurice Iwu, has expressed concern over rising cases of coronavirus in the state and called for holistic approach to combating the scourge.

Iwu made the disclosure in Owerri at the weekly COVID-19 briefing with newsmen.

He said with this development, Imo residents needed to re-access their stance on the existence of the virus in the state and continue to maintain the precautionary measures by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

The chairman urged them to maintain the protocol of hand washing with soap and water, mask wearing and maintaining of physical distancing in line with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s state broadcast on Thursday.

He said the virus was unprecedentedly spreading with a cumulative positive reality of 1,461 cases, the highest in the state so far.

According to Iwu, of this number, 247 cases came out positive, 1,214 negative, 16 persons are in isolation at WODDI centre, while 45 are on self-isolation with 20 discharged.

He noted that the state had lost three persons already to the pandemic, hence the need to abide by the governor’s desire that restrictions on movement from 8pm to 6am be maintained with inter-state travel ban still enforce.

He said that two local governments in the state are contracting the diseases more than others.

The task force chairman said the police, civil defence and two other teams would help to enforce compliance on the governor’s directives.

Iwu said: “Four teams will be involved to enforce compliance.

“This is a collective fight.

“We will not leave it to doctors alone.

“The doctors are doing fantastically well and we need to help them by doing our own bit.

“More health workers are being infected, but we help them by complying to instructions that are not many and tedious, which are washing of hands with soap and water and applying alcohol based sanitisers aside others.

“The issue is beyond politics.

“One person that has coronavirus is capable of infecting majority of people.

“So the directives on Churches, Mosque, Markets, weddings, burials and other social gatherings are still enforce in the state.”

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/covid-19-task-force-gives-shocking-update-on-imo-state/

The South East Awareness Coalition, SAC, a socio political group has said the quest by Igbo to produce the next President of Nigeria in 2023, is “dead and buried’ within the confines of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Chuks Okoye, President of the group, recalled that the Coalition had raised an alarm recently lamenting that the ruling party will not hand an Igbo it’s Presidential ticket in 2023.

Speaking to newsmen in Enugu, Okoye said recent developments in the APC which culminated in the sack of the National Working Committee, NWC which was replaced by a Caretaker Committee, is an indication that the script to produce Buhari’s successor has no Igbo in the picture.

“We have credible proof that some powerful forces are favouring Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, for the presidency in 2023.

“The dissolution of the NWC led by suspended Oshiomole which cuts off the grip of Bola Tinubu on the party, in preference for Amaechi, is a ploy to possibly favour the much trumpeted Presidential bid of the former Rivers State Governor.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/south-east-group-igbo-presidency-dead-and-buried-in-apc/

“The South East is not in the larger picture. It has never been. And we had said it over and over again. If Amaechi from the South South is favoured for the 2023 presidency, where does it leave the South East?

“The APC cannot claim it is in short supply of credible Igbo worthy to fly its presidential flag in 2023. There are three or four prominent Igbos in the APC who are most qualified to be favoured for the Presidency in 2023. Is Amaechi more qualified than Ogbonnaya Onu, Chris Ngige, Rochas Okorocha to be considered for the 2023 presidency

Okoye said the South East should not put it’s eggs in one basket in 2023, as latest events in the APC has shown that it has to begin now to define it’s political direction.

“APC is no longer a sure route for Igbo presidency. he stated.

President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC now hold the ace in the party.

President Buhari had wielded the big stick on Thursday, alongside the National Executive Committee of the APC sacking the National Working Committee, NWC, led by suspended Adams Oshiomole.

Buhari said the fortunes of the APC “are currently in jeopardy”

In another tense, he said ” What we see clearly emerging, is that we are beginning to self destruct. This, my party members, is not just regrettable but utterly gut wrenching.

The underlying currents in the party show that the President has fully retaken the soul of the party which had slipped into the kitty of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a long time

For the first time, Buhari became decisive on issues affecting the ruling party which signposts the fact that indeed he may have begun plans for a successor in 2023.

Dissolving the National Working Committee, NWC, has been adjudged a killer punch for Tinubu, the acclaimed national leader of the party.

Victor Giadom, factional Chairman of the party who had convened the NEC meeting Buhari and co honoured, excluded Bola Tinubu from those invited to the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu has been widely reported to be interested in running for the Presidency in 2023, and had Oshiomole, as an alibi, who had tailored the party to suit the former Governor of Lagos State perceived Presidential ambition.

The composition of the caretaker committee headed by Yobe State Governor, Mai Buni, a core Buhari Ally, who had served as Secretary of the party when John Odigie Oyegun was Chairman, is a clear indication, that the APC now wears a new look controlled by pro Buhari forces. And they henceforth will determine where the pendulum swings in the party.

State Governors elected on the party’s platform, have one option- to join the “new moving train” in the APC, as those sympathetic to the suspended Oshiomole, are expected to make a u -turn, to key into new emerging dynamics in the party.

However, some of them can become victims of fierce power game on or before 2023, as those who brought in the new order in the party, will become ripe for reward for loyalty in some states.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/new-look-apc-buhari-state-governors-hold-the-ace/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, is too weak to recapture power, particularly the governorship in 2023.

This was disclosed by a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the State, Mr. Kenneth Iwueke, when speaking to newsmen in Owerri. He said the PDP lacks the political will to revive and rebuild itself for the 2023 elections in the State.

Iwueke said the defection of some of the party’s key officials to the All Progressive Congress, APC is an indication that the PDP in the State is on a gradual and steady drift to collapse.

He claimed that the morale of party members at the ward level, is so low at the moment.

He said “The PDP lacks the firepower to bounce back to power in 2019. They cannot win the governorship of the State again because the party is decimated at the moment with the defection of some of its exco members. This signposts that all is not well in the party. The APC government of Hope Uzodinma, will soon overrun the PDP with its performance in office.

Reacting to a question that the PDP defeated the APC by winning the 2019 governorship election, Iwueke said the PDP never won that governorship election.

“The Supreme Court verdict which removed Ihedioha as Governor of Imo State, has reaffirmed the fact that the PDP never won the 2019 Imo governorship election. Based on that verdict of the nation’s apex court, the APC won the election. The PDP stole the victory of the APC and the Supreme Court retrieved it from them.

“Infact, the party has never won any election in the State. Check the records from 1999. It was APGA that was winning elections in the State but most times, they could not protect their victory and it was being snatched away from them by the PDP.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/06/imo-pdp-too-weak-to-win-imo-guber-election-in-2023-says-apc-chieftain-iwueke/

“The PDP even when they were in power in the State always used other unconventional methods to win elections in the State.

“But in 2019, they were caught napping by the Supreme Court’ Iwueke submitted

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, has fingered Governor Hope Uzodinma and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as the hand of Esau behind the resignation of some members of the State Executive of the party.

At a press conference held at the State headquarters of the party along Okigwe road, Owerri on Thursday, Acting Chairman of the party, Martin Ejiogu, alleged that the Governor through a former Chairman of the party, Charles Ezekwem, induced those who have resigned and assured them of more benefits when they cross over to the APC.

The PDP in Imo State has been hit lately by resignations of it’s Publicity Secretary, Asst Publicity Secretary, Youth Leader and Assistant Fianancial Secretary.

Ejiogu also said the resignation of some of the party Exco members, “constitute a band of Senator Samuel Anyanwu loyalists who worked vehemently against the interest of the party during the 2019 general elections. Besides, they had in principle left the party a long time ago, what played out earlier today was a mere drama, a dummy from a script that had been written months before now”

Ejiogu said the claim, that they defected as officers of “our great party is a clear misrepresentation, obsessed fallacy and the height of mischief. By the party Constitution, their tenure expired more than two months ago as they had served out their four years term”

“It is however imperative to observe that their so called defection to the APC was essentially orchestrated by selfish motive because of the zoning arrangement of the party which did not favour them” he said

Ejiogu said the party consider the development as “banal, inconsequential and worthless and are accordingly inclined to advise the political party they have purportedly defected to, to be wary of these elements.

He continued ” Their exit from our great party is indeed a reprieve, relief and positive development for our great party because for long they have remained huge liabilities to our great party”

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/05/imo-pdp-reveals-those-behind-defection-of-exco-members/

The present political scenario in Imo State, is full of drama, including alignments and realignments of political actors, as the next political dispensation draws near in the State.

Imo State has lately become a theater of intrigues and this is why anything, just anything, is possible on the political stage of the State.

In the past one week, the political scene has been dominated by interesting political drama.

Some Exco members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State defected to the ruling party in the State, All Progressive Congress, APC. Those who defected are the former State Chairman, the Publicity Secretary, Assistant Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser and Youth Leader.

Before these latest political incidents, an alliance of strange political bedfellows comprising Governor Hope Uzodinma, former Governor Rochas Okorocha, and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, was consummated in the APC, ostensibly to keep in limbo, Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP, who was ousted by the Supreme Court as Governor of Imo State.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/05/uzodinma-unknowingly-pushing-okorocha-ihedioha-araraume-into-alliance/

The alliance is heading to the rocks on the basis that Gov. Uzodinma, seems to be going solo in running his government.

He had shut out all Okorocha’s allies from his appointments and allowed several probe panels, instituted by ousted Governor Ihedioha, to continue digging mind blowing deals and under hand practices which took place during the latter’s era as Governor.

Senator Araraume seems to be facing similar ordeal, as Uzodinma never looked his way when making his appointments. The Governor like he did to Okorocha, never considered any of Araraume’s loyalists for appointments.

Araraume is among multitude of aspirants in Imo APC seeking nomination to be candidate of the party for Okigwe Senatorial seat. He is not getting sufficient greenlight for his aspiration from Uzodinma, who remains a huge determinant factor on who picks the APC Okigwe zone Senatorial ticket and eventual Senator of the zone.

Recently, Governor Uzodinma cancelled all salaries and benefits accruable to all former Governors in the State and lately, the Imo State House of Assembly, is going for Ihedioha’s jugular, by instituting a probe of LG funds during the latter’s reign as Governor of Imo State.

Analysts contend that based on these unfolding developments, it is clear that there is love lost between Governor Uzodinma and his ersthwhile allies and it will take a little time for them to vent their displeasure. In other words, the bubble may burst sooner or later.

Okorocha was recently speculated in the media to have his sights on joining the PDP. He or his media handlers never denied the report.

Emeka Ihedioha is still nursing his sack as Governor of the State, and is believed have commenced underground moves to upstage Uzodinma, who is behind his fall.

Ihedioha do have firmer grip of the PDP in the State since those who left the party were not his political soulmates in the first place. It is public knowledge that Ihedioha pulls the strings in Imo PDP and whosoever does not align with his political dance steps is edged out.

How disposed he will be to open up the party for others to join him for an alliance is yet to be deciphered.

However as it stands now, the PDP in Imo State can become a fertile ground for those who are opposed to the style of Hope Uzodinma, who has shown clearly that he does not intend to share the spoils of power with anyone.

Uzodinma has indirectly opened a “meeting point”for Okorocha, Araraume, Ihedioha and possibly, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to congregate against him.

Senator Anyanwu has continued to insist that he remains a member of the PDP despite the movement of his political allies such as former State Chairman of the PDP, Charles Ezekwem, to the APC.

Uzodinma’s political disposition is capable of unconsciously leading to an alliance of Okorocha, Ihedioha, Araraume and Senator Anyanwu in the future.

And the PDP in the State appears to be the rallying ground for such possible alliance for the trio which will certainly be a lethal political weapon in 2024 for Uzodinma and the APC. Time will tell.

Mr. Edozie Onyeakor is Imo State born Lagos based industrialist .A philanthropist committed to the plight of the downtrodden, Onyeakor in this interview with newsmen spoke on Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration in Imo State, proffered ways of boosting the Imo economy in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic, and other wide ranging issues on the State.

May we know you sir?

I m Edozie Onyeakor. I m an industrialist and a philanthropist, who is disposed to affect lives positively. I come from Oru West local government area of Imo State.

How do you asses governance in your home State of Imo, particularly the Uzodinma administration?


I will say, so far, so good. He has not performed badly. Governor Uzodinma never had the opportunity of a transition period just like his predecessor, Ihedioha had. So we must not be quick to judge him barely few months in office. Governance is a complex venture. It requires time. The former Governor, Ihedioha, had three months Transition period before he was sworn in as Governor of Imo State. That gave him time to prepare how to run his government. Senator Uzodinma never had that opportunity. Such Transition period do give incoming Governors, the opportunity to fine tune their programmes and policies before they are sworn in into office. Uzodinma was proclaimed as rightful Governor of the State by the Supreme Court on January 14th. On the 15th, he was sworn in as Executive Governor of Imo State. I must salute his courage for being able to cope so fast with the dynamics involved in governance, together with other daunting challenges such as the outbreak of the covid 19 pandemic.

Would You Say He Performed Creditably Within 100 Days In Office?


100 days is not enough, to assess his Administration considering the challenges particularly the Covid 19 challenge, which just popped up barely a month he was in office. And like I said,he never went through a transition period. But I think he has shown impressive capacity to govern the State and I advise Imolites to continue to support his vision for the State.

How do you asses complaints of non- payment of salaries of workers in the State?

I think that issue is very clear. The Governor in his 100 days in office speech said he identified payroll fraud and because of the shocking discovery, workers should tender their BVN. I do not see anything wrong with that. Verification is a usual practice to identify ghost workers in the civil service. And the State Government cannot afford wasting scarce resources on ghost workers particularly at this period, oil price is so low, and there is downward slide of the global economy, which has impacted negatively on Nigeria’s economy

There is a drop in the revenue allocation from the Federal to the State governments. In other words, what is coming from the centre is to the States is so low. No sensible government will continue business as usual. This is the time to close up leakages and avoid waste. This is the time for belt tightening. No State Governor can afford to waste scarce resources in the face of these frightening economic realities.

So I believe what the Governor did, was to save some money for the State, by ensuring that the right workers are paid. I do not see why any genuine worker will lose sleep, when he or she is asked to tender his or her BVN number for him or her to receive salary. We must understand that these are tough times, and we must accept this fact and support our Governor who has shown commitment for the good of the State.

What Is Your Take on the Outbreak of Covid 19 Pandemic and It’s Effect on the Economy?

As you must have observed, Covid 19 has an adverse effect on the global economy. Covid 19 may go, but the effect of the pandemic will be with us for a long time. This is why we need a post Covid 19 Economic Roadmap, to address challenges which we envisage in the economy and other aspects of our social life. I will say a ‘new normal’ is in the offing, and we must brace up ourselves for it. If the spread of the virus can be contained, I believe it will go a long way to revive the economy though gradually. I also suggest that we begin now to think of ways of diversifying our economy.

In your State, Imo, What Do You Suggest The Uzodinma administration Should Do, In The Face of This Economic meltdown

We need to reduce dependence on Federal Allocation from Abuja because like I said before what is coming from the centre is low. Our IGR needs to be boosted. There should be aggressive measures to ensure our IGR is high.We can achieve this. We must begin now to take urgent steps to boost other sectors such as Agriculture and also encourage Industrialization. Agriculture sustains an economy while industrialization grows it. We can feed our people, we can also feed others. We have the capacity to do it. And we can do this if we get our policies right. I strongly suggest that the State government should look at ways of boosting the food processing sub sector of the agriculture sector. Food processing holds the key to wealth creation which will reflate Imo on the global economic map if it is properly harnessed. This has been the most challenging sub sector in the agriculture sector in the country.

The government should also focus on the enormous value supply chain that goes with food processing. It is one thing to produce food and it is another ball game to process it. But I can assure you, that if concerted efforts are taken to address the food processing sector, we would have gone a long way to achieve a lot in the agric sector in the State which is pivotal to the economic development and growth of our State.
Also, there should be focus on reviving our industries. There are many moribund industries in Imo State. Sometimes, I wonder why past administrations, never took up reviving our industries as a priority. I believe Governor Uzodinma can reactivate them. Industries are key driver’s of economic development. As an industrialist, I understand the importance of industrialization in the economy. Industrialization is the major driver for employment. If 20% of hotels in Imo State are to be industries, there would have been massive employment in our State. Imo State will develop better if we have functional industries.

However, I m gladdened about Governor Uzodinma’s industrialization policy. I read in the newspapers, where the Governor said, ADAPALM can employ more than 35, 000 people when it is fully rehabilitated. That’s good news to hear. It shows he understands what he needs to do to get our State working again, but I must say, there are opportunities in the State to have about 20 more of ADAPALM. I speak based on my experience. When I wanted to set up a factory in the State, the place they called the industrial hub in the state, was in total state of decay and that gave me an insight the challenges faced by other prospective investors who want to invest in the State.

The growth in the industrial sector can be geometric if government gets it right. I do recommend that the State government should establish the Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, IPPA, which will identify industries that require attention and assist industrialists who want to set up industries in the State. Such an agency will meet the needs of those who want to build industries in the State and assuage their challenges.

You Are An Apostle of Youth Development, How Do You Suggest We Engage Our Youths?

Our youths must be engaged. If we can get our youths employed, then we will be making remarkable progress towards the development of our State. Imo State do have the highest number of graduates in the country, considering the number of tertiary institutions in the State.These institutions produce graduates yearly. It is clear now that government alone cannot give them jobs.And if government cannot give all of them jobs, then government has to create the conducive environment to enable them be self employed, thats the trend across the world. I have always been an advocate of youth development. We need to make our youths to become self sustaining, to be able to create jobs for themselves.Unemployment has been a major challenge across the world. But there are workable measures to engage our youths.I suggest to the state government to engage our youths on Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship programmes. This module has been effective in other countries. It will provide the platform for our youths to engage in ICT, industrialization and agriculture. This will make our youths to be self dependent and this will aid in the collective task of developing and sustaining our economy

You were Among Prominent Sons Of Oru West LGA Who Gave Out Palliatives To Your People During Covid 19 Pandemic?

We were motivated by the passion to assist our people during this challenging times because of Covid 19. I believe it is part of my responsibility to assist the needy and the less privileged during this period of adversity. We must see ourselves as our brothers keeper.

Thank you for your time?

Thank You

The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Imo State chapter, says it has gone to court to seek the recall of the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Chiji Collins, and his Deputy, Amarachi Iwuanyanwu.

This was disclosed by the Imo State Chairman of APGA, Hon John Iwuala while addressing members of the party during the inauguration of APGA Covid-19 Palliative Committee, at the party’s Secretariat, Egbu Road, Owerri, on Friday.

Iwuala noted that APGA has gotten approval from INEC to proceed to Court of law to legally recall the defected members, stating that the Constitution of APGA prohibits such an unthinkably wicked action against the party “when there was no crisis in APGA to have warranted their defection to another party that fought them during the 2019 election”.

“All necessary documents have been gotten from INEC to recall the APGA defected House of Assembly members. We are asking the Court to declare their Seats vacant and conduct fresh election. The party is taking Fire Brigade Approach for their recall as they lack the locus standi to leave a party that brought them to power”, Iwuala said.

Iwuala said the party has vowed to teach them lesson, saying “gone are days when members would play dirty with APGA again”, vowing that nothing shall stop the party from taking severe action against those who downgrad APGA.

Meanwhile, Imo APGA Covid-19 Palliative Committee to provide relief food items to poor citizens has been inaugurated.

The Committee is tagged “Operation Feed the Poor in Imo State”.

Notably, the Central Planning Committee is headed by Hon John Iwuala with Mrs Maria Mbanuzuo and Pastor Alphonsus Eberendu as Vice Chairman and Secretary.

Inaugurating the Committee, Barr Finta Ifinta, urged them to ensure that they carry out their assignment dutifully even with human face so that those who need the Palliatives would get them to cushion the effects of hunger arising from coronavirus pandemic.

Apart from the Central Planning Committee, there are other Sub-committees: Diaspora Committee (headed by Mrs Nkemdiri Onyirimba), Contact and Mobilization Committee(headed by Chief Eric), Publicity Committee (headed by Hon Emeka Nkwoada) including Security and Disabled Persons Committees which would be looked into after kick- off of the Palliative.

The Chairman of the Central Committee, Iwuala, appealed to all well-meaning persons especially those of Igbo origin to contribute to the Palliative to submerge hunger among the needy for the progress of the society.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/05/apga-vows-to-recall-imo-assembly-speaker-deputy-gives-reasons/

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State chapter, Wednesday rose in defence of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, over allegations of mismanaging N19.63 billion naria local government funds.

The party said "it smells kangaroo proceedings in Imo Assembly probe of Ihedioha”

Ihedioha had denied the allegations leveled against him by the APC government of Hope Uzodinma and has gone to court.

Ray Emeana, State Secretary of the party, at a news conference in Owerri,said “ it smelt of a kangaroo proceedings for the Imo State House of Assembly to purport to invite officials of government during Gov Ihedioha’s period of service to come to the House of Assembly to explain the whereabouts of the so called missing N19.63 billion”

The PDP said it is at loss how Ihedioha was singled out for “probe” by the House of Assembly when the Interim report of the Auditor General of the Local Governments covered both the Okorocha and Ihedioha administrations.

He said “The Interim Report reviewed expenditures of the 27 Local Governments of Imo State within this period and queried various officers, and MDAs to explain various expenditures totaling, 19.63 billion Naira.

“It is instructive to note that H.E. Rochas Okorocha was the Imo State Governor from January 1, 2019 to May 28, 2019. Whereas, H.E. Rt . Hon Emeka Ihedioha was the Imo State Governor from May 29, 2019 to December 31st 2019 that the Interim Audit Report covered.

“It should be noted that of the N19.63 billion LGA expenditures in question, approximately N16 billion was expended between January 1 to May 28 2019, during the administration of Rochas Okorocha. It was only the sum of approximately N3.7 billion that was spent by the 27 LGAs between May 29, 2019 to December 31,2019 during the administration of Governor Ihedioha.

“So, effectively it is the expenditure of N3.7 billion that the LGAs during the administration of Gov Ihedioha should explain and account for, not N19.63 billion as is being claimed and bandied about everywhere, by the current Commissioner of Information acting on behalf of Governor Hope Uzodinma of APC. The remaining sum of approximately N16 billion should be accounted for by the regime of Former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Emeana said “indeed the debate of the motion by the House to investigate the interim audit report at the House of Assembly show extreme bias and a clear premeditated case of witch hunt, without any pretense to impartiality and objectivity

He frowned at the fact that no single member of the PDP is a member of House of Assembly Public Accounts Commitee

He continued “The matter was referred to the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Assembly, that had no single member of the PDP as a Committee member. The Minority Caucus of the PDP in the State House Of Assembly petitioned the Speaker to reconstitute the Committee and not only include PDP members but to make a PDP member Chairman as has been the precedent, convention and procedures in the Imo House of Assembly , some time in the past, in the National Assembly since 1999, in most of the State Houses of Assembly in the Federation and indeed most of the Commonwealth. This is to ensure fairness and transparency. Mr Speaker refused.

“It was also clear that the condition precedent for the House of Assembly to assume jurisdiction to investigate the Interim Auditor’s Report had not been met.

He said “ Under these circumstances it became imperative for His Excellency, to seek the intervention of the Court following obvious breaches in the processes and procedures of the purported probe.

“His Excellency, Ihedioha, would want the Court to determine whether the procedure for investigation is consistent with sections 128, 129 and even 125 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Imo State Local Government Administration Law, Section 129 (1), that contained the procedures for the auditing of Public Accounts of Local Governments.

“It is also imperative for the Court to clarify whether the composition of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Imo State House of Assembly for the investigation is in line with the relevant extant laws, parliamentary rules, conventions and procedures. And whether fair hearing would be afforded His Excellency.

The party said the former Governor has no intention of stopping or evading any investigation

“From the foregoing, it is evident and incontrovertible that Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has no intention of stopping or evading any investigation or “probe” of the N19.63 billion Auditors Interim Report by the Imo Legislature. Rather, he is out to establish that the rule of law , due process and FairPlay are applied in the entire process.

“We note that the current regime, having failed to convict Rt. Hon. Ihedioha in the media trial it has been waging, now wants to exploit the option of the legislature to achieve their sinister plan of establishing an infraction where there is none. Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha has nothing to fear, is not afraid of accounting for his stewardship to the people of Imo State that elected him. But he will not sit idly by and condone deliberate twisting of facts in a kangaroo trial with a meditated and predetermined outcome.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/05/imo-pdp-we-smell-kangaroo-proceedings-in-imo-assembly-probe-of-ihedioha/

The Imo State Government has given an update on the third Covid 19 confirmed case in the State.

He is a returnee from Kano State.

According to a statement by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr (Mrs) Damaris Osunkwo, all the three confirmed cases of Covid 19 are doing well at the Isolation and Treatment Centre.

Part of the statement reads “The 3rd and newly confirmed case is a 43 years old returnee from Kano State who arrived his home in Ehume Obowo recently

“Contacts from him have been listed and are been followed up. Also samples have been taken from people considered highly exposed to him and already sent to the laboratory. We are going ahead to investigate reports and rumours of returnees and other suspected cases”.

The Commissioner advised Imolites to continue to keep safe.

“Please keep been safe by adhering to earlier advisories of steady hand washing with soap and water. Use hand sanitizers frequently, maintain social distance of 1 to 2 metres and avoid crowding. Continue to report all suspected cases and adhere to remain at home.

“Observe respiratory etiquette and wear face masks always. Do not panic and desist from spreading false rumours.

“Government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of all Imolites” the statement stated.

https://innonews.com.ng/2020/05/3rd-covid-19-case-in-imo-returnee-from-kano-state-commissioner-reveals/