The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Acho Ihim has been suspended. He was suspended by 21 members of the House.
Hon.Chinedu Offor was named as Acting Speaker.
https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/imo-assembly-suspends-speaker/

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and Wife of founder of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Bianca Ojukwu, have been removed as Board of Trustees members of the party.

This was part of the decisions taken by the National Executive Council at a meeting held in Awka, which followed the expiration of the four year term of the members of the BOT.

Labaran Maku, National Secretary of the party told newsmen in Awka, after the meeting that new BOT members to take the positions of Mrs Ojukwu and Governor Obiano were to be nominated later.

The party has picked May 31 as for its National convention at the Prof Dora Akunyili women development centre in Awka, Anambra state

“The Ward and Local Government Congresses of the party would hold on the 19th and 21st of May, followed by the State and Zonal congresses on the 23rd of May.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/apga-removes-ojukwus-wife-obiano-announce-dates-for-congresses/

Recalcitrance and disobedience to the constitutional authority of the State House of Assembly were some of the reasons the 27 local government Chairmen in the State were suspended.

Also, series of petitions bordering on unsatisfactory conducts against the Chairmen written by their constituents and disobedience to invitation of the House for am interface were also reasons the Council bosses were given the boot.

According to a statement by Media aide to the Speaker,Marcel Ekwezuo, investigations into the allegations of unsatisfactory conduct against the Chairmen will continue and “any Chairman found to have refused to submit his/her self to the House Commitee on Local Government will be sacked.

The Council Chairmen have been at logger heads with House members over allegations of financial misconduct leveled against them.

It was observed that most times they were invited to appear before the House, they never did.

Before the Council members were suspended during plenary yesterday, the Assemblymen had directed them to appear before the House Commitee on Local Governments with the Director of Administration and General Services, DAGS, and Treasurers in the Councils . They never complied.

It was a stormy session during plenary when Hon.Chika Madumere moved the motion for the suspension of the Council Chairmen which was countered by the Majority Leader, Hon.Lugard Osuji.

The suspension of the Council bosses is coming barely few weeks to exit of the present administration in the State.

The Imo State House of Assembly has suspended the 27 local Government Chairmen in the State.
https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/imo-assembly-suspends-27-lga-chairmen/

Tottenham Hotspur pulled a major Champions league surprise Wednesday night beating Ajax 3-2 in Amsterdam to overturn a 1-0 home defeat, to reach the final of the Champions league

Mauricio Pochettino’s travelled to Holland, knowing that they had to beat the flying Dutch upstarts, who eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus from the competition.

However, they got off to a bad start, after Matthijs De Ligt headed the hosts in front.

Hakim Ziyech then doubled their advantage, finishing off a fine team move.

Pochettino reacted after the break, bringing on Fernando Llorente, to add more presence upfront.

But it was Lucas Moura who scored twice in quick succession and added a late, late goal, to send Spurs to the final, where they will take on Premier League rivals Liverpool.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/another-champions-league-shocker-as-tottenham-hotspur-shock-ajax-to-reach-final/

Lack of consensus approach, ignoring the input of stakeholders and solo run in choice of a successor by State Governors in Imo State, past and present, have been given as key reasons why former Governor Achike Udenwa and outgoing Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State failed to produce successors after their tenure in office.

Former Governor Ikedi Ohakim failed to win re – election in 2007.

A political analyst, Mr. Chiedu Uzodinma who spoke to this newspaper in Owerri said Udenwa and Okorocha made wrong choices thus encountered stiff opposition from the political elites who were not consulted and excluded from their succession plans.

He stated “One common feature in Udenwa and Okorocha’s inabilities to have successors was lack of consensus approach in selecting those who would taken over from them. Most of the would be successors were either handpicked without inputs from key and crucial stakeholders of the Imo polity.

“In a state as advanced politically like Imo, no Governor can ignore the elites, stakeholders who remain the heartbeat of the Imo polity in selecting a successor. Udenwa and Okorocha are guilty of this error

Mr. Uzodinma pointed out that the achievements of the Governors were not enough for them to rail road their successors into office.

He continued “A careful observation and study has revealed that the achievements in office of the duo played little or no part in ensuring the success of their succession plan. Okorocha used his achievements in office as a basis to drive his choice successor to office but that plan crumbled because it was overwhelmed by many factors.

“Achike Udenwa was in office for eight years and his achievements can be described as average. What rather conspired against Udenwa’s succession plan were political dynamics prevalent in the State at that time and opposition from the political elites. Strong political factors mixed with interplay of several variables also affected his succession game- plan. Such variables include the battle for the soul of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party, which consumed whatever game- plan he had.

He stated Okorocha faced similar fate with Udenwa as he was wrestled by opposition forces in his political party, the All Progressive Congress, APC over his choice of Uche Nwosu.

He explained that while Udenwa faced opposition from members of his political party, the PDP, the same fate befell Okorocha who was also tackled by opposition forces in the All Progressive Congress, APC who formed the Imo APC Coalition.

Mr. Uzodinma said “The emergence of some powerful politicians encapsulated in the Abuja group in Imo PDP at that time gave Udenwa’s succession plan the biggest threat. The group made up of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Dr. (Mrs) Kema Chikwe, Tony Ezenna, Festus Odumegwu, and other political heavyweights dismembered Udenwa’s political machine in the scramble on who takes over from him.

“The opposition force as fierce as it was used all manner of political gimmicks and backed by strong powerful forces in Abuja derailed his plans to ensure the emergence of his choice candidate. The Abuja group was known to have the backing of then PDP National Chairman Ahmadu Alli

“Despite the potency of his powerful onongongo group, Udenwa seemingly failed to even prepare a successor before the big fight broke out in the party. It was observed that at no time he had a successor in mind. This was evident when he selected Engr. Charles Ugwu as an emergency successor at a time Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and co had piled the heat on him.

“And when Ugwu was kicked out as the party’s governorship candidate by the Supreme Court, he handpicked Martin Agbaso, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and when INEC cancelled the re run polls which Agbaso looked good to win, a desperate search commenced.

“In the end, a combination of external forces aided him to settle for then little known and less fancied Ikedi Ohakim of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA

He noted that in Governor Okorocha’s case, the biggest opposition to his succession plan was wrong choice of successor “which led to massive opposition from a sophisticated electorate in Imo”

“While Udenwa settled for an “emergency” successor, Okorocha had his succession plans well laid out after his first tenure.

Mr, Uzodinma faulted the decision of Okorocha to drop his Deputy, Eze Madumere in his succession plan

“He (Okorocha) had schemed out his loyal Deputy, Eze Madumere, who would have been a potent force in his succession agenda if he had chosen the latter, as Madumere’s candidature would have assuaged pro zoning adherents who had rooted for an Imo Governor of Owerri extraction at a time the tenets of fairplay and equity were strongly propagted in electing a new Governor.

“Okorocha’s grievous error was his choice of son law, Uche Nwosu as successor. Not that the young man was not competent, but his selection defied the tenets of zoning and besides, many believed that Okorocha was keener in building a political dynasty in Imo State as attested to by APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole. The attendant effects of his choice successor spiraled into many political negatives that bruised him politically such as his suspension from the APC and Nwosu’s eventual loss at the governorship election.

“Like Udenwa, Okorocha’s major opposition to his succession plan began in his backyard- his political party, the All Progressive Congress, APC who congregated under the umbrella of a coalition to fire ballistic political missiles at the Governor with the aid of the National Chairman of the party who was visibly opposed to his choice of Nwosu as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC

According to Mr. Uzodinma, the biggest beneficiary of the entire political drama in Imo politics in 2019 is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He continued “The Coalition and the opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who were desperate to return to power after 8 years out of office, formed an “invincible and unknown alliance” that found accommodation in the congregation of aggrieved Imolites who went for Okorocha’s jugular by opposing his son in law, Nwosu from taking over from him.

“From his (Okorocha) suspension to the party to Nwosu’s eventual loss at the governorship election, the key factor that led to the failure of Okorocha’s choice successor was the exclusion of the elites in the governance of the State and introduction of an unknown pattern of governance described as “Familocracy” which was more beneficial to select few to a greater majority.

He stated “One common feature in the Udenwa and Okorocha’s inability to have successors were lack of consensus approach in their selection. Most of the would be successors were either handpicked without inputs from key and crucial sectors of the Imo polity.

“A state as advanced politically like Imo State, no Governor can go solo in orchestrating a succession plan

“Ignoring the elites, stakeholders who remain the heartbeat of the Imo polity in selecting a successor was at their own peril” he concluded

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/why-udenwa-okorocha-failed-to-produce-successors/

Ahead of the May 29, 2019 handover, Imo State Governor elect, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha has disagreed with Governor Rochas Okorocha that a Joint Transition Committee drawn from the side of the Government and the side of the Governor Electwas constituted and inaugurated.

In a statement by Chibuike Onyeukwu, media aide to the Governor Elect, he said the press statement put up by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo, that a Joint Commitee was inaugurated for the handover was false.

” We consider as needless, the deliberate misrepresentation of facts, aimed at provoking unnecessary altercation between both committees at a time the smooth transition should be our utmost priority

“We wish to state clearly that what took place at the Government House on May 3, 2019 was only a meeting of the 31 member commitee, headed by Mr.Ernest Ebi, drawn from the Committees earlier inaugurated by His Excellency, Rt Hon.Emeka Ihedioha CON, Governor elect, Imo State and the 21 member transition Commitee of His Excellency, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

He pointed out that there was no fresh Inauguration of “52 member joint transition Commitee” by the Governor or his representative as claimed in the said release.

“The team to the Government House led by Barr.Chris Okewulonu, had been previously inaugurated by the Governor elect, while Governor Okorocha had also inaugurated his team the previous day, all in a bid to ensure a hitch free transition

“It was therefore inappropriate for the said press statement to convey the erroneous impression that there was a fresh Inauguration when the two teams interfaced.

“It is important that correct information on the activities of the two committees is, at all times, fed the public to ensure a seamless and smooth transition by May 29, 2019” the statement concluded

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/handover-ihedioha-disagrees-with-okorocha-on-joint-transition-commitee/

A Joint committee that will oversee handover ceremony in Imo State on May 29, 2019 has been constituted and inaugurated by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

This has put to rest confusion over the handover process. A programme earlier drawn up by Governor Okorocha’s Transition committee which included a meeting scheduled for May 3 between the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and Governor Elect, Emeka Ihedioha, did not take place
The Joint committee was inaugurated at the Exco chambers of Government House, Owerri

Governor Okorocha was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mark Uchendu, who heads the Government side of the committee, while Mr.Chris Okewulonu, a former Secretary to Imo State Government, heads the team of the Governor Elect, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha.




A statement signed by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo, said a small technical committee will emerge from the enlarged committee to provide it with a roadmap ahead of the handover date.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/imo-joint-committee-constituted-for-may-29-handover/

Ahead of the FIFA World cup 2022, a ‘vagina-shaped’ football stadium has been unveiled in Qatar.

The Al Wakrah stadium which happens to be the first to be completed from scratch ahead of the tournament and boasts of innovative technology to bring temperature down for fans, was designed by the late British-Iraqi architect, Dame Zaha Hadid and will host matches up to the quarter-finals.

Dame Zaha, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 2016, was said to have been inspired by the flowing shape of the Arabian dhow boats which are widely used for fishing in the region and the arena was to have a roof to resemble the sails of the dhow.

Dame Zaha Hadid died before she could see her design constructed, However when the drawings were published in 2013, the shape quickly raised eyebrows with fans saying it resembles female Instruments.

At the time, Dame Zaha hit back saying, ‘It’s really embarrassing they come up with nonsense stuff like this. What are they saying? Everything with a hole in it is a vagina? That’s ridiculous.’

The architect was also behind great buildings such as the Aquatics Centre at the 2012 London Olympics, the MAXXI Museum in Italy and the Guangzhou Opera House in China.

She added: ‘If a guy had done this project there wouldn’t have been the same level of criticism.’

Some critics actually supported the design of the ‘vagina stadium’ saying it could actually prove to be a good thing for the sport.

One said: ‘In a world where sport and vaginas very rarely come together with such prominence – see every UK female footballer’s salary versus every UK male footballer’s salary – the likeness can only be a good thing.

‘After all why not have 45,000 people crammed inside a woman’s reproductive system? It’s not like they haven’t been there before.’

The World Cup will take place in Qatar in the winter to ensure that visitors are not overwhelmed by the heat.

Dame Zaha’s stadium is 12 miles south of the capital Doha and has been designed to be able to bring down the heat to around 22C for spectators and players.

Cold air will be piped in through vents while the retractable roof will provide shade to the pitch.

Qatar is producing eight stadiums for the World Cup, including the renovated Khalifa International Stadium.

After the games are over, the capacity of the Al Wakrah stadium will be halved and the excess seats donated to football projects in developing countries.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/qatar-unveils-vagina-shaped-stadium-for-2022-world-cup/

Ahead of the FIFA World cup 2022, a ‘vagina-shaped’ football stadium has been unveiled in Qatar.

The Al Wakrah stadium which happens to be the first to be completed from scratch ahead of the tournament and boasts of innovative technology to bring temperature down for fans, was designed by the late British-Iraqi architect, Dame Zaha Hadid and will host matches up to the quarter-finals.

Dame Zaha, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 2016, was said to have been inspired by the flowing shape of the Arabian dhow boats which are widely used for fishing in the region and the arena was to have a roof to resemble the sails of the dhow.

Dame Zaha Hadid died before she could see her design constructed, However when the drawings were published in 2013, the shape quickly raised eyebrows with fans saying it resembles female Instruments.

At the time, Dame Zaha hit back saying, ‘It’s really embarrassing they come up with nonsense stuff like this. What are they saying? Everything with a hole in it is a vagina? That’s ridiculous.’

The architect was also behind great buildings such as the Aquatics Centre at the 2012 London Olympics, the MAXXI Museum in Italy and the Guangzhou Opera House in China.

She added: ‘If a guy had done this project there wouldn’t have been the same level of criticism.’

Some critics actually supported the design of the ‘vagina stadium’ saying it could actually prove to be a good thing for the sport.

One said: ‘In a world where sport and vaginas very rarely come together with such prominence – see every UK female footballer’s salary versus every UK male footballer’s salary – the likeness can only be a good thing.

‘After all why not have 45,000 people crammed inside a woman’s reproductive system? It’s not like they haven’t been there before.’

The World Cup will take place in Qatar in the winter to ensure that visitors are not overwhelmed by the heat.

Dame Zaha’s stadium is 12 miles south of the capital Doha and has been designed to be able to bring down the heat to around 22C for spectators and players.

Cold air will be piped in through vents while the retractable roof will provide shade to the pitch.

Qatar is producing eight stadiums for the World Cup, including the renovated Khalifa International Stadium.

After the games are over, the capacity of the Al Wakrah stadium will be halved and the excess seats donated to football projects in developing countries.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/qatar-unveils-vagina-shaped-stadium-for-2022-world-cup/

Barely 48 hours Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha wrote a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to release his Certificate of Return, INEC has said it would meet next week to decide on the letter.

INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye said the Commissions commissioners will meet next week to discuss and deliberate on the issue and come up with next line of action.


“INEC chairman will meet next week with Commissioners to deliberate on the latest letter written by Okorocha and take a look at the issue again. Both parties are in court, but the INEC chairman is outside the country and most of the commissioners are on duty,” Okoye said.

He explained that despite the fact that the matter is in court, the Commission will look at the issue again.

“INEC chairman will meet next week with Commissioners to deliberate on the latest letter written by Okorocha and take a look at the issue again. Both parties are in court, but the INEC chairman is outside the country and most of the commissioners are on duty,” Okoye said.

The INEC Commissioner further stated that the commission was not concerned about comments attributed to the Governor on the issue, stressing that it would, however, not take any action that is outside the law.

“The case is in court but we believe what we are doing is in accordance with the law,” Okoye added.

INEC had withheld Okorocha’s Certificate of Return insisting that the Imo State Governor was declared winner of Imo West Senatorial election under duress.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/inec-reveals-what-it-will-do-to-okorochas-certificate-of-return/

The Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, has advised Imo State Governor elect, Hon Emeka Ihedioha on how he can rescue the economic downturn within three months that has led to impoverishment and hunger that has ravaged the people of the State in the last eight years.

The IAC in a statement signed by its President, Emmanuel Okwu, said the State is in economic distress and therefore need proactive economic actions to save the people from agonizing hunger.

The group argued there is urgent need to ensure cash flow in the system, calling for not only granting autonomy to the Local Governments but also ensure full allocation get to the Councils

“The local governments were economically dead in the State in the last eight years. Their allocations were tampered with and this led to stifling economic activities at the hinterlands

“ It is not enough to grant the LGAs autonomy as assured by the Governor Elect when there is no financial autonomy or independence. There must be sufficient funding of the local governments which will open up the hinterlands to economic activities that will go long way to reduce over reliance and pressure on the State Government”

The IAC further said the Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals of government in the State also need to be revived and funded adequately to undertake and execute government projects and policies in line with due process

“ Most government Ministries ceased to function in the last eight years. What we witnessed was over centralization of power and at Government House. The Local governments and Ministries are arteries of the State Government. When they cease to function at optimum levels and starved of funds, money fails to circulate and this could lead to redundancy in government activities and affect the economy

It stated that the incoming administration should also place emphasis on payment of backlog of salaries and pensions of pensioners with an eye on enforcing the 30, 000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government for workers.

“The inability of the outgoing government to pay promptly workers salaries and pensions of pensioners are major flaws of the outgoing government that swelled discontent among the populace. This to a large extent restricted funds flow in a State the economy is public service driven.

“Emphasis should be placed on re- directing the Imo economy to be private sector driven which will invariably attract and encourage Direct Local and Foreign investments propelled by active players in the private sector in the country and beyond.

The IAC explained that cash flow worsened in the State when commercial hubs in the State such as markets were destroyed without adequate compensation to victims, calling on the incoming government to direct its energy towards strengthening “commercial hubs” and other vital sectors of the economy that will ensure funds flow.

“ In the long run, we propose a radical approach to industrialize the State which will create an economic window to assimilate the frightening number of unemployed youths in the State. Small and Medium Enterprises are propellers of a growing economy and adequate support is imperative to this sector which is pivotal to the overall turn around of the State economy.

The IAC advised for financial discipline on the part of the incoming government in the face of fluctuating oil prices and called for prgamtic approach to revive critical sectors of the economy such as Education, Health, Agriculture just as it advocated for aggressive measures to boost Internal Generated Revenue, IGR.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/group-to-ihedioha-how-you-revive-economy-reduce-hunger-in-imo-in-3-months/

The National Working Commitee, NWC of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA has approved the suspension of the State Chairman of the party, Barr. Peter Ezeobi and two others.

At the end of NWC meeting of the party, they stated “the NWC perused the allegations against the recent suspended State Chairman and two others, and considered the confusion created in constant removal and appointment of SWC members by the suspended State Chairman and in consideration of the collective request of the State Executive State chapter, as contained in their signed communique”

The NWC noted ” that at the end of its emergency meeting in Awka, it resolved to among other things “approve the request of the State Executive Commitee, Imo State to set up a Caretaker Commitee as contained and granted”

It appointed Mr.John Iwuala, the Assistant National Secretary of the Party, South East to henceforth oversee the activities and affairs of the party in Imo State as Caretaker Commitee with other members of the Caretaker Commitee pending the holding of ward, LGA, State Congresses in the coming weeks.

The statement signed by Labaran Maku, National Secretary of the party scheduled the inauguration of the Commitee on May 2, at the State party secretariat, Owerri.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/apga-nwc-ratifies-caretaker-commitee-for-imo/

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is setting a bad precedence by withholding his Certificate of Return.

INEC had withheld the Imo State Governor’s Certificate of Return on the grounds that he was declared winner of the Imo West Senatorial election under duress.

Okorocha is in court with the electoral commission on the matter.

In a petition he filed at the Commission’s head office in Abuja, the Imo Governor advised the INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, not to reduce the commission as a tool in the hands of political manipulators.

He said if there were issues with the election , the Commission should make recourse the election tribunal.


He said, “Section 285 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, states that there shall be established for the Federation one or more elections tribunal to be known as the National Assembly Elections Tribunal which shall, to the exclusion of any court or tribunal, have original jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions as to whether (a) any person has been validly elected as a member of the national Assembly,” he wrote.

“Section 133 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides that No election and return at an election under this Act shall be questioned in a manner other than by a petition complaining of an undue election or an undue return presented to the competent tribunal or court in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution or of this Act, and in which the person elected or returned is joined as a party.

Okorocha asked where INEC derived the power to withhold certificate of return after a winner in an election had been announced. He argued that the step taken by INEC is not known to law and advised the commission to seek redress in the law court rather than taking laws into its own hand

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/okorocha-reveals-why-inec-should-not-withhold-his-certificate-of-return/

BY: COSMAS IGWE

Recently, the All Progressive Congress, APC, South East, stated that it ought to produce the Speaker of the 9th Incoming House of Representatives.

The demand became imperative after the zone had lost out in the zoning of all key positions in the National Assembly.

The party’s zoning formula designed by the National Working Commitee, NWC led by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, had relegated the South East out of any key position in the next National Assembly.

This had raised concern among leaders of the party in the region who argued in strong terms that the zone deserve the Speakership of the House of Representatives.

A commitee headed by Minister of Science and Technology, Dr.Ogbonnaya Onu was constituted by the APC South East caucus at the end of its meeting in Enugu, to interface with the national leadership of the party on the issue.

However, political pundists argue that the South East APC have no justification whatsoever to demand for the position of the Speaker of the House for many reasons.

One of such reasons is the fact that none of the States in the South East is of the APC. Imo which was the only APC State has been taken over by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. It is also important to add that the APC has no single member in the Imo State House of Assembly after producing 20 members of the legislative House in 2015.

It has one or two Senators select fron the zone and a handful of members of the House of Representatives which puts in the South East in the minority among other zones who fully voted for the party during the 2019 elections.

Since the formation of the APC in 2014, the APC has never had it so good in the South East. This could be attributed to either outright rejection of the party in the region or inability of the party leadership to effectively market the it in region which seem to tilt to the PDP. The party gave President Buhari a misery 190,000 votes in 2015. It went up to a little over 400,000 votes in 2019 compared to the South West which turned in over 3 million votes during the 2019 presidential election.

The party has been in comatose state in the South East. Plagued by massive rejection, one wonders why it is so eager to grab a key position as Speaker of the House of Representatives when it could not even win a Councillorship seat across the entire South East zone.

It is even more worrisome when shocking revelations have been made why the party have been unable to make a headway in the South East region.

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu made a stunning revelation at the Enugu meeting of leaders of the party. He revealed that some party chieftains connived with the PDP to win the South East States during the 2019 general elections.

It is therefore not out of place if the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, decides not to concede any key position of the National Assembly to the APC South East.

It will be political loss on the part of the party if the APC conceed the Speaker of the House to the South East APC at a time the party needs to compensate other geo political zones such as the South West who voted for the party massively in order to strength President Buhari’s victory in the region.

As the scramble for positions in the National Assembly intensifies, the APC in the South East must realize it has nothing to offer on the table to negotiate for a key position such as the Speaker of the House of the Representatives.

What would it use to bargain for such position? Nothing. In politics, you must posses strong bargaining powers to negotiate for something. In this case, the APC in the South East have nothing to offer except a sweeping defeat by the PDP in the last general elections.

Parading a begging bowl to secure a key position such as Speaker of the House of Representatives is a defeatist approach which in the long run may end up in a wild goose chase.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/05/hor-speakership-south-east-apc-on-a-wild-goose-chase/

review of the zoning arrangement of the All Progressive Congress, APC was one of the major decisions of the All Progressive Congress, APC, South East Caucus.

In a 7 point communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting in Enugu, the Caucus constituted a special committee saddled with the responsibility of interfacing with the party hierarchy and party leaders in the other zones with a view to giving the Southeast a fair position in the National Assembly.

The committee is headed by the leader of the party in the South East and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

The meeting came on the heels of the zoning of speakership of the House of Representatives to the Southwest and the Senate President to the Northeast, while Deputy Senate President goes to the South south, leaving out the Southeast.

The meeting presided over by the National Vice Chairman of the party, Southeast, Chief Emma Eneukwu, had in attendance minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, his labour counterpart, Dr. Chris Ngige, former Gov. and senator-elect, Dr. Orji-Uzo Kalu, former minister, Chief Emeka Worgu, serving and incoming members of the National Assembly, among others

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/nass-leadership-no-second-fiddle-for-south-east-apc-s-e-leaders-insist/

The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in Imo State is boiling again. For the umpteenth time, the party has been hit by internal strife, a major feature that rocked its chances in the general elections in the State.

APGA had gone into the Imo governorship election a divided house with bruised members who fumed over its controversial primaries that led to the exit of most of its political henchmen and governorship aspirants.It never overcame the devastating effect of that imbroglio as it failed to make an expected impact in the elections in the State.

Hope of repositioning the cock party for the role of a opposition in the next political dispensation seems to have dimmed with a ferocious onslaught launched against the State Chairman, Peter Ezeobi.

This is not the first time APGA in Imo State is embedded in chaos and turmoil. The latest is just one of those political comedies that usually take place in major political parties in the State.

A notice of suspension served on Ezeobi by members of the State Executives, all the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 27 local government areas of the party has set the ball rolling for fresh altercations in a party yet to recover from a not too impressive outing in the general elections.

APGA won three Assembly seats from Okigwe zone, the political enclave of its governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume making nonsense of political predictions. It did win a senatorial or House of Reps seat despite so much expectations before the polls

According to documents seen by this newspaper, the running of the party was vested with Pastor Alphonsus Eberendu, the State Secretary of the party who is to hold forte in the interim performing the duties of the State Chairman until the National Working Committee (NWC) constitute up a Caretaker Committee.

Reasons given for the suspension of party officials include leadership incompetence, lack of or poor financial records, misappropriation of party funds, high handedness, brazen impunity, and side-lining other executive officers.

Newspaper reports however quoted Ezeobi to have dismissed the sack threat on the grounds that those who orchestrated the move were suspended since last year and have not been coming to the party in the last seven to eight months.

The latest crisis indeed opens a new twist in a party with so public goodwill but plagued by so much political strife and intrigues.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/the-big-rumble-in-imo-apga/

The newly re elected leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in Imo State has vowed to ensure compliance with the N 30,000 new minimum wage for workers.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week approved the new minimum wage.

Since the President approved the new minimum wage, there have been fears by workers in some States if State Governors will comply.

Speaking shortly after he was re elected NLC boss in Imo for a second term, Austin Chilkapu said Labour in Imo will ensure the implementation of the new minimum wage of 30,000 for its workers.

He said both public and private workers will benefit from the new wage.
Chilakpu vowed that the new leadership of labour in Imo State will in the spirit of unionism defend workers rights and privileges, urging the State government to pay workers and pensioners as justice demands.

He commended workers for being orderly during the election, urging them to continue to be hardworking.

The election was held at Labour House, Owerri where delegates drawn from various Unions from the national body were part of the exercise.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/nlc-vows-to-enforce-n30000-minimum-wage-in-imo/

There are strong indications that local Government Chairmen and Councilors sacked by Governor Rochas Okorocha in 2011 may not be recalled by the incoming administration of Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

The Council bosses had won election to head the Local Governments in August 2010 during Ikedi Ohakim administration but were sacked by Governor Rochas Okorocha in June 2011.

Since then, it has been a cat and mouse battle between the Council Chairmen mainly of PDP extraction and the Okorocha government which had migrated from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in 2011 to the All Progressive Congress, APC in 2014.

In Nigeria, State Governors maintain a stronghold on the local governments by running illegal Transition or Caretaker Committees made up of party loyalists of the Governor.Funds acruable to the Councils are also controlled by the Governors.

The sacked Council Chairmen however gave Okorocha a fight and were reportedly restored by the Courts which Okorocha’s action as a nullity.

Their attempts to re take the Council’s based on the Court order met a brickwall as the Okorocha Government stood it’s ground and shoved them aside.

In what analysts had described as an act amounting to disregard to the law by the Okorocha government, political pundits had argued then the sack of the Chairmen was legally wrong but politically right in a political system where State Governors not just take control of local Government funds but appoint party men as part of a ploy to maintain grip on the grassroots.

However, the return of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to power in Imo State heralded with the election of Hon.Emeka Ihedioha as Governor elect, may have raised hopes for the Chairmen that they would return to their various seats across the 27 local governments in the State.

Feelers emerged on Monday that the Chairmen and Councilors visited the Governor elect where they narrated their ordeal and pushed for their reinstatement when Ihedioha assumes office on May 29.

Sources at the meeting held at the Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise country home of the Governor elect disclosed that the Governor elect was not forthcoming on the matter but vowed to restore the local Government system in Imo State by granting it autonomy which has been in shambles in the last eight years.

The non functionality of the Local Governments in Imo State had been ascribed as one of the major reasons development was unable to get to the grassroots since Okorocha assumed office in 2011.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/hope-dims-for-sacked-lga-chairmen-sacked-by-okorocha/

Youths of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State have offered words of advise to the Governor elect, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON.

At a party function held in Owerri, Imo State PDP Youth leader, Hon Ahanonu C. Williams, commended the Governor elect for appointing a Technical Transition Committee and Inauguration, Planning and 2019 Handover Committee ceremony.

The PDP youth leader said the appointment of the committee members was germane as they are imminently fit to offer or design super and viable blueprint to guide the PDP administration smoothly in order to rebuild the state to the good of all citizens.
Hon Ahanonu C. Williams


Ahanonu added that the inauguration committee members are tested and trusted persons who will add their great values to the smooth transition of the new PDP government starting from 29th May, 2019.
https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/imo-pdp-youths-advise-ihedioha/

The debt profile of Imo State came to the front burner at the Imo State House of Assembly on Tuesday when lawmakers summoned the State Commissioner of Finance, Mrs Ugochi Nnanna Okoro and State Accountant General, Casmir Ozuzu.

A motion moved by Chika Madumere (Nkwerre) during plenary called on the House to cause the Accountant General and Finance Commissioner to appear before it and give the actual debt profile of the State on the grounds that the State Governor had insisted that Imo State is not indebted.

She said the accounts would provide an update on the debt status of the State.

Lawmakers okayed the motion, inviting the Commissioner and AG to appear before it House today (Wednesday)

Another motion for the 27 local Government Chairmen to appear before the House on Wednesday was considered.

Hon. Arthur Egwim (Ideato North) had moved the motion.

Hon Kennedy Ibe supported the motion, recalling that the Chairmen under auspices of ALGON in Imo State had sent two representatives when the House Committee on LGA Matters invited them to give account of the financial status of the Local Governments.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/imo-debt-profile-at-last-lawmakers-kick-summon-finance-commissioner-ag/

Governor Rochas Okorocha has constituted a 21member Transition Committee headed by Secretary to the State Governor, Mark Echendu.

A statement signed by Sam Onwuemedo, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor reads :


The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has set up a 21-Member Transition Committee, with the following people as members:

(1) HON. ENGR. MARK UCHENDU – CHAIRMAN

(2) HON. ADAORA IJEZIE

(3) HON. EMMA BUKAR IWUANYANWU

(4) HON. SIMEON IWUNZE

(5) HON. NKEIRU OLUEHI

(6) HON. ANGELA UWAKWEM

(7) HON UGOCHI NNANNA OKORO

( HON. IYKE NJOKU

(9) HON. CHINYERE UWANDU

(10) HON. NGOZI NWAMERENINI

(11) PROF. EDNA NJOKU

(12) HON. CHIKA EZEJI

(13) PROF. NNAMDI OBIARERI

(14) HON. ETHELBERT IBEBUCHI

(15) COMRADE KENNETH EMELU

(16) HON. JONES UZOKA

(17) HON. LASBERY OKAFOR-ANYANWU

(18) PRINCIPAL SECRETARY – SECRETARY

(19) PASTOR HENRIENTA JACOBS

(20) HON. IKENNA EMEH

(21) BARR. NELSON EZERIOHA

This 21-Member Committee will interface with the Committee set up by the Governor-elect, Chief Emeka Ihedioha to ensure a hitch-free transition.

Meanwhile, the following programme/activities have been lined up also geared towards having a smooth transition.

MAY 2nd, 2019:

Meeting with Governor and Governor-Elect. Inauguration of Joint Committee, Tour of Government House. Venue: Peoples House Owerri Time: 10:00am

MAY 3rd, 2019

Governor and Governor-Elect meeting with Traditional Rulers. Venue: Ezeimo Palace Time: 10:00am

MAY 4th, 2019

Governor and Governor-Elect meeting with Christian Association of Nigeria.

Venue: CAN Headquarters

Time: 10:00am



Meeting with Labour/NUJ

Venue: Labour House

Time: 1:00pm

MAY 5th, 2019

Governor and Governor-Elect Tour of selected Projects. Venue for take off: People’s House Time: 10:00am

MAY 6th – 20th – JOINT COMMITTEE REVIEW

Ministerial Handover
Project Tours/Assessment
Account Reconciliation

POLICY MATTERS

Labour, CGC, Free Education, Ikuona Nkwo, Youths Must Work, Urban Renewal, Empowerment Programme, PPP Projects.

TERTIARY EDUCATION

6 Universities, 4 Polytechnics, 2 Colleges of Educationa

REVIEW OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS BUILT BY IMO STATE GOVERNMENT

Prisons Headquarters
Police Headquarters
International Cargo Airport
Army, Police, Airforce, Navy hospitals

MAY 25th, 2019 – INTER-DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE

Governor and Governor-Elect will attend

Venue: Heroes Square

Time: 10:00am

MAY 29th, 2019 – OFFICIAL HANDOVER

Ceremony as may be agreed by Governor and Governor-Elect.

The Governor wishes Imo people and the Governor-Elect well.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/handover-okorocha-sets-up-21-member-transition-commitee/

e do not intend to create the platform whereby the aides or supporters of the two former governors of Imo State, their excellencies, Chief Achike Udenwa and Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, would stand on and lampoon themselves, but having read an interview on the Nigerian Horn newspaper of Wednesday, April 19, 2019, by the former Executive Chairman of Orlu Local Government Area, former member of the House of Representatives and Udenwa’s Man Friday, Hon Chukwudi Mayor Eze, where he made unfounded claims, particularly that outside God, it was Udenwa who made Ohakim Governor in 2007, it became very clear that there is need to set the records straight.

Given that it is public knowledge that Udenwa and Ohakim have been in a war of words, which was orchestrated by Udenwa himself when he launched an unprovoked media attack on his successor, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, and Ohakim decided to clarify issues by granting an interview, we thought that the two foremost leaders in the state could sort out their issues at their level.

We decided it was unnecessary for us to join the fray, especially for the fact that we have been under strict instructions from Ohakim never to disparage any leader, particular a former governor.

He has always told us about a kind of relationship between former governors, especially between successors and their predecessors.

It was therefore obvious that when Hon Mayor Eze joined the fray and began to make baseless claims, he was delving into a subject in which he did not have the requisite depth. He was not part of the critical process that brought Ohakim in as Governor.

It was no surprise that he rehashed what his boss and mentor, Chief Achike Udenwa, had reeled out to him.

It was equally not surprising that Hon Mayor Eze spoke the way he did. As a major beneficiary of the Udenwa administration and a core supporter of the former Governor, it is taken for granted that he would sing Udenwa’s praise any time.

He can even take the bullet for him. Under Udenwa’s magnanimity he became the Executive Chairman of Orlu Local Government for a privileged two terms.

During that time he also became the Chairman of ALGON in the state. He went to the House of Reps and attempted a return to the House in 2011 but it did not work out.

When he therefore posited in his interview that second term for public office holders is earned based on performance and popularity, one takes the question to him – whether it was poor performance or unpopularity that denied him a return to the House of Reps.

Anyone who has read the interview by Ohakim would notice that Mayor, also known as Ikenga Orlu, did not address the six major issues Ohakim had raised.

It was glaring how he uncharacteristically prevaricated sensitive issues by constantly and jocularly asking his interviewer to switch topic. Ohakim had said in his interview that despite the claim of being a Chartered Accountant, Udenwa was not able to produce audited accounts of the state for the eight years he was Governor.

Something as simple as audited accounts! This leadership ineptitude on the part of Udenwa inadvertently affected Ohakim’s speed in taking off, in assessing fund from the capital market. This invariably goes to prove that Udenwa should be blamed for not handing over the correct baton to his successor.

This has nothing to do with who, outside God, made who Governor, a beer parlour cliche to defend Udenwa’s unwarranted attack on his successor who has been covering up for him since2007.

Apparently because he did not know, Mayor did not provide any answers to the question but rather diverted attention to how Udenwa was ‘transparent’.

But juxtaposed against the background of the revelation that Udenwa did not produce audited accounts of the state for the eight years he was governor, the claim of sainthood, particularly on accountability, on the part of Udenwa comes out clearer as cheap lie.

Again having failed to provide answers to the revelation that Udenwa and two other leaders in the state, in his home in Amaifeke, entered into a well crafted agreement with Okorocha in 2011, which paved the way for Okorocha’s emergence as Governor of the state, one did not need further conviction that he did not know most of the things that transpired.

Interestingly, some of those who signed the agreement had gone to court and swore to affidavit on the said agreement and other behind the scenes events that took place in their bid to dislodge Ohakim from Government House.

It is curious that Udenwa and his group now vehemently deny bringing Okorocha in as Governor but prefer to claim that Udenwa brought Ohakim, the same man they said was a failure in government.

The Igbo say that when someone who was absent when a corpse was being buried is asked to exhume it, he would start digging from the position of the head.

This accounts for the doublespeak in Mayor’s claims. Whereas he rigmaroled on the issue of 70% cabinet nomination by Udenwa, he nevertheless admitted that Udenwa gave Ohakimn Dr. Vincent Udokwu, who he described as Ohakim’s best commissioner. Does Mayor know that Udenwa did not leave a dime in the coffers of the state; rather he left a huge debt profile ?

When asked by the interviewer to comment on the revelation that Udenwa said that the government house was not a savings account, he did not know whether to agree or disagree.

Caught in this dilemma, his safest route was to evade the issue and rather wondered satirically why Ohakim lost reelection in 2011 since he left billions of Naira for his successor. Imo people know that what stopped Ohakim in 2011 was the gang-up against his government by some members of the elite class led by Udenwa.

Can Ndi Imo forget the reported arrest and detention in a hotel in Onitsha, of the then INEC Returning Officer for Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Ngozi Nwoko with 28,000 PDP result.The Ngozi Nwoko is now a traditional ruler and his statement is a public document.
A careful reading of Mayor’s interview would reveal one objective, which was to drop the claim that Udenwa made Ohakim governor in 2007.

Having said this he became short of words to explain how, and rather begged that the issue be changed. As far as he was concerned, Udenwa was popular, and being an incumbent he could ride on the strength of his fabled popularity and incumbency nuances to decree a successor.

He forgot that as incumbent Governor, Okorocha failed to install a successor, despite his claim of being popular.

Was Udenwa a more popular Governor than Okorocha?

Those who followed the Udenwa era know how that government was bugged down by insecurity, unemployment, poor economy, unpaid pensions and gratuity of councillors and civil servants running into billions, widespread poverty, political assassination and high political rivalry. The political rivalry that showed up early in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after Udenwa was given the governorship by the elders of the state is a testimony to how he could not manage people. That crisis lingered, and we hope it will be permanently resolved by the emergence of Governor-Elect Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

Udenwa was grossly incompetent and unpopular in the PDP, let alone in the state at large, where demonstrations – even ones considered diabolical – were rife.

It was under Udenwa that a serving Senator in Orlu Zone faced stiff opposition, to the point that he faced a failed recall process. Under Udenwa people from Orlu Zone protested with mock coffins of their opponents and conducted mock burials for them. With that kind of situation Udenwa could not have been loved by the people of Orlu Zone at least.

If Udenwa was loved, how come he did not win his Senate bid on two consecutive times, knowing full well that he was running to be the Senator of his own zone, with 12 local governments only? Udenwa left the PDP in 2010 and joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he was the leader.

He ran for the Senate seat on the ACN platform. It is on the record that not only did he fail to go to the Senate, his party under his leadership failed woefully in the state.

The performance of the PDP in Orlu Zone over the years points to the fact that Udenwa has never been loved by his own people.

The Action Alliance (AA) that sprung as alternative party for Governor Okorocha and his group few months to the governorship election had the day in Udenwa’s local government and the entire zone, except Oguta Local Government, where the firebrand politician and a chip of the Nzeribe bloc, Hon Gerald Irona, the Deputy Governor-Elect, comes from.

The takeaway from this onslaught by the AA in Orlu Zone is that the people of the area are not happy with Udenwa.

This height of dislike is explained by Ohakim when he said that “For eight years [Udenwa] was in office, he could not articulate a concrete program of action for even his Orlu zone, including a master plan which would have, in any case, benefited the entire state, because if he had started something in Orlu, by now we would have a second big city in the state apart from Owerri”.

If anyone was in doubt of anything about Udenwa it was definitely not about the N4.5bn unpaid pension and gratuity and N6.8bn owed the councilors and chairmen that worked with him. And if anyone was in doubt of what Ohakim achieved as Governor, it was not about whether Ohakim cleared those debts in his bid to rejig the battered economy. Yes, rejig the battered economy under Udenwa for which Ohakim never made any noice.

Be that as it may, Ohakim’s revelation that Udenwa led the onslaught of petitions, blackmail, propaganda and gang-up against him has not been challenged.

Ohakim stated in his interview that “The petition Udenwa and co wrote to EFCC over the Wonder Lake project destabilized that project.

It could not proceed as scheduled because the petition was widely circulated among international investors and so they became scared.”

Also, Ohakim’s claim that “the idea of the Oguta Wonder Lake project started during Udenwa’s time” has not been challenged.

He said the project was “recommended by the transition committee Udenwa set up himself but rather than pursue it, he leased the Oguta Lake Motel out for pecuniary reasons.

We had to retrieve the Motel and expanded the scope of the project to a multibillion dollar Wonder Lake complex”.

This incontrovertible revelation about the Oguta Wonder Lake project brings to the fore the motive Udenwa led the onslaught against those projects located in his Orlu Zone.

However, the answer to the question of whether or not Udenwa made Ohakim Governor in 2011 still hangs on Mayor’s lips.

But let me offer some help: Udenwa did not make Ohakim Governor in 2007. Granted that the circumstances that brought Ohakim in as Governor in 2007 were clearly beyond Udenwa, even with his incumbency powers, everyone in Nigeria then knew that Ohakim was forced on him. In that circumstance, he had no choice. It was also in keeping with the circumstance of his emergence that some conditionalities were taken to “protect” him.

Part of Udenwa’s helplessness was his inability to clearly map out a succession plan.

He was caught up between Rt. Hon. Ike Ibe, a refined gentleman from Okigwe Zone, and others. In this confusion he was forced to settle for Engineer Charles Ugwu who was later removed by the court.

Given that his wobbling succession cart had crashed, he moved to support the APGA candidate in the election. This, too, did not succeed because of other forces that weighed his hands down.

This was why during a PDP rally in 2009 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, former President Olusegun Obsanjo told the people of Imo State that Ohakim was “the promise made, promise fulfilled”.

Ohakim’s emergence as Governor was not entirely made in heaven.

There are certainly persons who should get the credit for contributing to the emergence of Ikedi Ohakim.

Many others contributed to also making Udenwa Governor – or did he make himself Governor? Talking about who Udenwa foisted on Imo as Governor, that person should be Okorocha not Ohakim. Udenwa did not have a choice in the circumstance.

Ohakim was a governorship aspirant in PDP when Udenwa was Governor.

He did not give him any support whatsoever. Ohakim went to the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and picked the guber ticket without Udenwa’s assistance.

Udenwa supported another person instead in the PDP. Even up to the first governorship election, Udenwa had another person up his sleeve and not Ohakim.

How did he now become the maker of Ohakim as Governor?

But, for being a sitting Governor of the PDP, those who made Ohakim Governor had to broker a soft landing for Udenwa.

It was therefore in protecting his interests that certain conditions were taken, including the nominations he made into the Ikedi Ohakim cabinet, which were not in any way a show of gratitude.

Nonetheless, it should be noted that the ongoing debate between Chief Udenwa and Dr. Ohakim is not about who made whom. Let us even assume, without conceding, that Udenwa made Ohakim; is it enough reason for Udenwa to descend so low to abuse his successor without provocation?

Is it not intellectually childish to ignore the critical issues Ohakim raised and begin to talk about who made whom and who is popular and who is not?

Imo people expect former Governor Achike Udenwa to address the issues Ohakim raised.

Let no one divert Imo people’s attention from the critical issues raised in Ohakim’s interview in defence of himself and his administration.

Collins Ughalaa could be reached via email: ughalaacollins@gmail.com; or via telephone:07066222944.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/inside-udenwas-eight-years-tenure-by-collins-ughalla/

A five-member trafficking syndicate consisting of a young couple and three other accomplices have been apprehended by operatives of the Imo State Police Command for allegedly selling a six-hour-old baby for N850,000 shortly after he was born.

Rabiu Ladodo, the Commissioner of Police in the state, who paraded the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Owerri on Saturday, described the crime as “absurd and irritating”.

Ladodo said the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

The CP noted that it was unbelievable that the mother of the newborn, Chinonye Oparaocha, 23, conspired with the other suspects to trade the child after delivery.

The other suspects are Confidence Anyanwu, 28; Duru Christian, 38; George Iyowuna, 38, and William Cynthia, 44.

Ladodo said the mother of the baby conspired with a nurse at the hospital where she was delivered of the baby to take the child to Rivers State, where he was trafficked for N850,000.

According to him, it took coordinated intelligence from his men for the baby to be recovered and the suspects arrested.

“On February 8, 2019, at an undisclosed clinic on Nekede Road in the Owerri West LGA, one Chinonye Oparaocha was delivered of a baby boy,” he said.

“The woman immediately conspired with one Confidence Anyanwu, a nurse and native of Umuhu Okwuato in the Aboh Mbaise LGA, in company with her husband, Amanze Anyanwu (at large), and carried the six hours old baby to Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where one Duru Christian, was standing by. In Port Harcourt, Christian in company with Iyowuna, met them and took custody of the baby.

“George Iyowuna met them at their hideout, took the baby boy and handed him over to a prospective buyer, William Cynthia, and her husband, who eventually paid the sum of N850,000. On April 13, operatives of the Scorpion Squad of the command, after diligent investigation, arrested these five suspects, including the mother of the baby and the nurse who delivered her of the baby.”

Ladodo added that the suspects had given useful information to the Police, which should lead to the arrest of other fleeing members of the gang.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/couple-nabbed-for-selling-three-year-old-baby-for-n85000/

Elder Statesman, Chief Innocent Diala Nwoga has advised those challenging the victory of Hon Emeka Ihedioha in the governorship election in Imo State to sheath their sword.

He advised them to give up their litigation against the Governor elect which he described as a distraction. He rather called on them to join hands in the huge efforts to restore the State.

Nwoga, a former Minister of Establishment and Management Services who spoke to this newspaper in Owerri said every right thinking Imolite who witnessed the horrendous governance in the State in the last eight years should bury his or her grievances and support the incoming government of Ihedioha.

He described the Imo Governor elect as the choice of the people of the State and one with the competence and relevant experience to run its affairs

“Ihedioha has the competence. He has the experience to turn this State around for good. He also has the capacity to appraise issues and he is very sensitive to the plight of the people. Every right thinking person should support him considering the efforts to restore the State” he said

The pioneer Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State said the distraction against Ihedioha will not do any good.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/i-d-nwoga-speaks-on-ihedioha-advise-araraume-uzodinma/

ormer Chelsea defender, Frank Lebouef, has said ex Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, is becoming a fading force.

Mourinho, a former Chelsea and Manchester United boss, is looking to get back into management after he was shown Old Trafford’s exit door few months back.

Leboeuf however said Mourinho “has done his time”, adding that the Portuguese has failed to move with the times.

He also noted that players are beginning to hate the former Real Madrid manager.

There was divisions inside Red Devils camp before Mourinho was dismissed.

The ex-Chelsea defender told ESPN: “I think Mourinho has done his time.

“I was very fond of him when he came to Chelsea the first time after what he had done with Porto

“But I think he lost something, I remember all the players would say ‘we love him’.

“I remember at Inter [Marco] Materazzi crying and everything.

“I think he has lost that, to the point where even the players who played at Manchester begun to hate him.

“I think he has to think about his life and if he wants to go back to a big club, maybe PSG, but he has to change stuff.”

Mourinho has remained out of work since parting company with United.

Major players in the Entertainment and Hospitality sector in Imo State have drummed support for the State Governor Elect, Hon.Emeka Ihedioha and solicited for their inclusion in his administration, stating that they remain an asset to his incoming government.

In a statement signed by Benjamin Okechukwu Nwokorie, co coordinator of the Association, he said despite the enormous challenges faced by the group in the last eight years, they succeeded in ensuring the growth and development of the entertainment and hospitality sector in the State by giving massive employment to youths thus reducing poverty, crime and other societal vices.

“Many young people have been redirected from violent and destructive roles by the employment opportunities granted by members of this association” Nwokorie stated

He explained that the association will be an asset to the incoming government of Hon Emeka Ihedioha which makes it imperative for them to be included in the next administration.

The Association’s co-coordinator recalled how the collapse of the education, health, transport sectors including commerce which led to the crumbling of the economy of the State in the last eight years affected the entertainment and hospitality industry but was still able to flourish because of their commitment to the growth and development of the sector.

Part of the statement reads “In spite of the foregoing, the hospitality and entertainment sector of the state has flourished the most. We have seen the emergence of not just new investments but also the influx of foreign investments.

“While several businesses have closed down many more have sprung up and more still are in the offing. Several big names from around Nigeria have set up shop here. We make bold to say that the resilience of the hospitality and entertainment industry, in spite of the situation on ground is due to the direct effort of those who dug in deep and braved the storm”.

He recalled the enormous contribution of the sector to the economy of the State despite its challenges. He stated that the sector is the highest employer of labour in the State above the civil service and provided a lifeline for other sectors in the State to thrive.

According to him, being the highest employer of labour in the State, there is need for the State Governor elect, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, to include them in the running of affairs of the State by conceding a slot to them in the newly constituted Transition and Technical Committee.

Nwokorie said with the aid of the incoming administration, they will re direct the goals of the sector in the State aimed at taking it to enviable heights which will lead to checkmating unwholesome and unprofessional conduct and practices that hinder the growth of the industry.

“We therefore feel that our wealth of experience, far and deep reach as well as the enormous goodwill we enjoy will prove an asset to the in coming government

According to him, the group is made up of practitioners of hotels, bars, night clubs lounges, restaurants, event centers, event management and those involved in promotional businesses with the relevant experience to transform the hospitality industry for the overall gain and benefit of the State.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/we-are-asset-to-your-incoming-govt-hospitality-and-entertainment-practitioners-tell-ihedioha/

A Seeming Conversation between two Imolites reflecting Divergent Views*

Okenwa: On May 29, We will have a new government, a government everyone is looking forward to.True change has come back to our State.

Thomas: Which change. It’s the same thing. We will not see much.Mark my words.

Okenwa: How do you mean? You should be positive. A new government that is coming in deserves all our support to succeed. Besides, they look set for the task ahead.

Thomas: We are watching. This is the return of the Ali baba and the forty thieves. The PDP has a pattern of running government. Chop I chop mentality. Is such still fashionable in governance?

Okenwa: There is nothing wrong with chop I chop government. Do you prefer chop alone government? A Government of the family, by the family and for the family. Or do you want to remain under the yoke of a Master who gives out crumbs to his servants.You want the wailing to continue?

Thomas: Rescue and Rebuild which one sounds better in your ear?

Okenwa: Rebuild is better. We need to rebuild this State?

Thomas: Rebuild What? Rebuild what has been already been built?

Okenwa: Rebuild our State.We had it rough in the last eight years.Are you not in this State, why are you pretending as if you do no know what I m talking about.

Thomas: I do not see anything that went wrong in the last eight years. The man at Government House had his style of governance which worked for him and to a large extent in the State. We saw good infrastructure, infact I get pissed off when people say he did not work for the State.

Okenwa: You are out of your mind.What style of governance?. A pattern that favoured his family members alone to the extent he wanted to impose his son in law to take over from him. Is this State a Monarchy? We have never had it so bad like this period. Nothing worked in the State.

Thomas: Do not tell me such things because I disagree with you. You cannot tell me that the man did not perform in the last eight years. Look at Owerri, are there no changes in the road network?

Okenwa: Roads without drainage built by unknown contractors. When the rains come, the whole place turns to Pacific and Atlantic Ocean joined together. How come there was so much that was built yet the State had no investor, not even a bamboo seller in China came to invest in the State.People kept on complaining .Hunger became a weapon to subdue the people.

Thomas: Hunger! And yet we had more eateries and restaurants in Owerri during this period. His biggest offence was that he was not sharing money to big men and women and they used e rats on the social media to run him down.

Okenwa: You talk as If he is sharing his personal money. This is our commonwealth my brother. Did Oshiomole reject him and his son in law because they did not share money to him?Why did he find it difficult to pay the pensioners. The workers were begging for their salary. This State is the only place in Nigeria where workers do not have a fixed salary.

Thomas: We had ghost pensioners and workers. And we cannot be paying ghosts. Oshiomole only succeeded to crumble the broom party in Imo.

Okenwa: And what happened to the countless audits he said he carried out to fish out ghost pensioners.

Thomas: (Silence) I m not here to join issues with you. This man cut these big men and women to size in the State. He made Government House less attractive for them because he refused to share the money.

Okenwa: But he shared to his family members, friends and cronies who sang his praise. His son in law ran the most expensive campaign during the election period and you did not see anything wrong with it. Many people complained of losing their land without notice and compensation

Thomas:Sometimes we mix up non issues with core issues. All these are all propaganda. Calling dog a bad name in order to hang it.

Okenwa: How?. These are not cooked up stories, not hear say.

Thomas: Cock and bull stories. All those who claimed their land were grabbed from them. Where are they. In the moon? let them come out and speak out. Stopping thriving on hear say. And for his son in law, leave him alone. His Father in law said his son in law is the only one that will sustain his policies and programmes such as free education, urban renewal and other good innovations he introduced. The man had his plans well laid out for the State.

Okenwa: Is he the owner of the State? Are you listening to yourself? Father In law told Son in law he should take over as Governor. How does it sound in your ear? Are we in Soweto? How come he was so short sighted that he saw his son in law as the only one that could continue his supposed good work. Are other followers of his dummies?


Thomas: He is the one sitting there and he knows what he is talking about. Bill Clinton was President for eight years and his wife was Secretary of State and eventually ran for President. In America o, the inventor of democracy.

Okenwa: Did Hilary Clinton wanted to take over from Bill when the latter had done eight years? Do not twist history and records. And because he did not have his way at the governorship elections that is why he is putting booby traps for the man coming to take over from him.

Thomas: How do you mean? Traps. Is he rat catcher? Traps for what?

Okenwa: The stealing of spoons, rods, chair, rug, plates, fork and knife as alleged by your party people.

Thomas: He said it is your party people that are stealing it.

Okenwa: We do not steal spoons, plate and rods. That’s petty.

Thomas: That’s what he said. He said it is in your character to loot.

Okenwa:Pot calling kettle black. The accuser cannot be the accused. It is not in our character.We have come to rebuild the State. When the Mbano man left in 2011, did he steal the table in his office? He even left behind a huge sum of money, N26 billion.

Thomas: Builders of the temple. Make sure you people build a Notre Dame for us.A bigger one than the one that got burnt in France. Which 26 billion? Forget all that media noise. Story for the birds.

Okenwa: Media noise.? Did your man deny he never saw some billions the man from Mbano left behind? We have come to work. The man that is coming is experienced and he knows what leadership and governance is all about. You will see the best of governance in this State. He is tested and trusted. The happiness of the people will be restored.

Thomas: Akuko Ufo..By sharing money. That is the language your guys understand.

Okenwa: Which money? The money that has developed wings and flown away. We are not talking of sharing of money.I m telling you that this State will come back to life again.Pensioners will be paid, workers will get their due. The people will be happy. We will also have a vibrant House of Assembly not this rubber stamp in place at the moment. We have already started work. You saw the calibre people in the two committees he set up..

Thomas: Hold it there my friend. Do not go there. Which committees?. You mean the playground Committee. Just Transition, and Hand over Committee, you have about 500 people.

Okenwa: This is a tip of the iceberg. He is walking his talk by saying he will constitute an inclusive government. And that is the stuff a responsible leader is made up. We are already seeing a man doing what he says.

Thomas: By packing crowd of people together like Sardine and Geisha and called them a Committee?

Okenwa: You seem to have lost touch with core principles of governance.Iberiberism is really affecting your sense of reasoning. You better purge yourself of it. Don’t you not know that Transition Committees prepare the foundation for the take off a new government, a serious administration for that matter. And I m surprised at this moment, your man has not come up with a Committee to synergize with the Handover committee for a smooth transition on May 29.

Thomas: Stop blowing grammar. He is bringing people together for his election in the event the tribunal kicks him out. The Committee is over bloated. We had no such number in other States.

Okenwa: Meaning? That’s a stupid talk.This is the ranting of a loser. Which Tribunal? Remove who? Wake up from slumber my friend. It is in the character of losers to cry foul play when they lose. We carry the mandate of the people. This man will be there for eight years. So better prepare your role in opposition. I see that you will be there for a very long time.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/ahead-of-may-29-the-imo-conversation-by-chiedu-uzodinma/

Practicing Medical Doctors in Imo State have embarked on an indefinite strike.

Kyrian Duruewuru, the Imo State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, who announced the strike of the doctors accused the State government of treating doctors unfairly.

According to him, the first phase of the strike would involve all doctors at Imo State Special Hospital, Umuguma, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu and Hospital Management Board

He lamented that their colleagues in other States enjoy the adjusted salary structure for medical practitioners while the State government has refused to implement it in the State.

He said soon, doctors in private hospitals and those in federal health centres in the State would down tools.

He said , “For the past four years , doctors in Imo State have received 70 percent of their salaries .

“Also , the doctors are being owed three -month salary arrears by the Imo State Government .

“For us , this is highly unacceptable and very insensitive. ”

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/doctors-in-imo-embark-on-strike/

Imo State Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has solicited the support and cooperation of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council in the United Kingdom, (CEIC).

According to a statement signed by Imo State Governor Elect Media Aide Mr.Chibuike Onyeukwu, Rt. Hon. Ihedioha was at the Council office in the United Kingdom, Wednesday, on a high level strategic business meeting, to“discuss areas of cooperation and assistance to Imo State by the member states, when he assumes office.

He described the meeting as, “fruitful and forward-looking, with expected strategic cooperation in key areas of wealth creation, agriculture, investment and other critical areas geared towards enhancing and developing our potentials for the economic development of the state”.

The Council is an investment arm of the Commonwealth Nations.

The Council’s Chief Executive, Allan Gemmell OBE, congratulated the Governor-elect on his victory at the polls and committed to supporting the state in the areas of: SMEs, Investment promotion, Agricultural potentials, encouraging commonwealth investors to the state, and making Imo an Investment hub among others.

CIEC officials at the meeting were; Chief Executive, Allan Gemmell OBE, Director of Operations Sean Leno and Director of Business Development AQ Hamza.

The Governor-elect had in his team, Hon. Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Imo East Senator-elect and member representing Owerri Federal Constituency, Hon Bede Eke, Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Amb Uche Ogbuagu, member-elect, Imo State House of Assembly, Barr. Chima Nwanna (Transition Technical Committee Secretariat) and Barr Anselm Okorie Secretary, TTC Diaspora Initiative Sub-committee.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/ihedioha-woos-commonwealth-seeks-investment-in-imo/

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United must "aspire to Barcelona's level" after the Spanish side knocked them out of the Champions League, BBC sports reports
Lionel Messi inspired Barca to a 3-0 win in Tuesday's quarter-final second leg, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory.
If we want to get back to Man Utd's true level, true traditions, we have to challenge Barcelona," United boss Solskjaer said.
"They were a couple of levels above over the two games."
https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/solskjaer-man-utd-must-aspire-to-barcelonas-level/

Five members of the Imo State House of Assembly have been recalled.

The recalled lawmakers were Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano), Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru), Ifeanyi Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli), Donatus Onuigwe (Oru West), and Kenna Nzeruo (Oru West).

They were recalled during plenary on Tuesday presided over the Speaker, Acho Ihim.

The Speaker said that the recalled lawmakers were invited for an interaction during an executive session after which their suspension was lifted.

Since last week, there has been drama in the House as members demanded for payment of their outstanding entitlements and benefits before handover

An Owerri High Court had on November 5, 2019 quashed the suspension slammed on the five members. The court had also jointly awarded the applicants — Dr. Uche Oguwuike (Ikeduru-APC); Mr. Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano-APGA); Mr. Israel Nnataraonye (Mbaitoli-APC); and Mr. Nkenna Nzeruo (Oru East-APC) N8m in damages and N100,000 in legal fees.

https://innonews.com.ng/2019/04/imo-assembly-recalls-five-suspended-members/