BY DAVID UKA

The People of Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency in Ebonyi State numbering over 5,000 have staged a solidarity march to support the State Governor David Umahi’s second term bid.

The constituents, who marched around major roads and streets in Abakaliki during the solidarity rally, also drummed support for the Member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Linus Okorie.
READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/ebonyi-5000-show-solidarity-for-gov-umahis-second-term-bid/

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume blew hot today when he vowed that he will join forces to unseat the present government in the 2019 coming elections.
Araraume spoke today when he stormed the APGA headquarters in Owerri which signalled his formal entry to the party from the APC.

He promised to abide and subject himself to the rules regulating the party primaries, urging the party leadership to put in place mechanism to guard against malpractices during the primaries.

READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/imo-2019-araraume-talks-tough-vows-to-ensure-victory-for-apga/

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC has opened up on the those likely to emerge victorious at its primaries.

In a statement by FCC Jones Onwusoanya, Publicity Secretary of the party in Imo State, he said those aspirants who have put the people at the centre and whose loyalty to the party and the its constitution will be considered.

READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/imo-apc-opens-up-on-aspirants-likely-to-win-primaries/

A governorship hopeful in Imo state under Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) Party ; an International constitution lawyer , Industrialist and Human Rights Advocate , Chief (Barr) Aloysius Osuji , has bemoaned Imo State government on the increasing rate of infant mortality occasioned by the absence of functional health care centres in the state
READ MORE:https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/imo-2019-guber-aspirant-osuji-flays-imo-govt-on-poor-health-care-delivery/

Some governorship aspirants in Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC may be in dilemma over the Indirect mode of primaries adopted for the conduct of the party primaries in the State.

A source close to some of the aspirants said they may go for parallel primaries. There was no independent verification of this claim as at the time of filing this report.

Some of the governorship aspirants had opposed the Indirect primaries mode selected by the State Working Committee of the party led by Mr.Daniel Nwafor.

READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/mode-of-primaries-imo-apc-guber-aspirants-in-dilemma/

Governor Rochas Okorocha has issued a new Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition to HRH Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze as replacement for Late HRH Eze Emmanuel Njemanze

The Late Eze Njemanze was the paramount ruler of Owerri.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo reads:

“Governor Rochas Okorocha has handed over the certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to HRH Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze as the new Traditional Ruler for Amawom Autonomous Community in Owerri Municipal. The new Eze replaces the late Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, the Ozuruigbo the 5th, of the autonomous community who died on May 10, 2016.

“The event took place weekend at Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers Government House Owerri.
READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/okorocha-replaces-late-ezeh-njemanze-appoints-new-monarch/

The founder and President Power House Assembly Abakakili, Evangelist Ephraim Ononye has offered free medical services to over 2000 widows and physically challenged persons in Abakaliki.
The clergy who also gave food items to the beneficiaries said the free medical services was introduced to fulfill the teachings of Christ to care for the needy and sick ones

“It is our responsibility to care for the needy instead of collecting money in order to pray for them”
READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/2000-widows-others-benefit-from-clerics-free-medical-treatment/

Six ex loyalists of Governor Rochas Okorocha are in the race for the governorship ticket of the governing All Progressive Congress, APC in Imo State.
Five of them are from Owerri Zone.

They include Okorocha’s former deputy, Eze Madumere, Sir Jude Ejiogu, a former Secretary to the Government of Imo state and Sir George Eche who had taken over from Ejiogu as Secretary to Government.

READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/eight-jostle-for-imo-apc-guber-ticketticket/

The Imo Awareness Coalition, a political watchdog and forecast group have predicted that three of the four major political parties in contention for the Imo governorship race may have their candidates from Mbaise nation.

Mbaise clan is the most dominant and the largest clan in Imo State scattered across three local governments. They also have the largest population in the State.

READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/groupmbaise-may-produce-three-guber-candidates-in-strong-political-parties-in-imo/

A Frontline governorship aspirant in Imo PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu has condemned in strong terms the recent invasion by thugs on the State party Secretariat, Owerri.

Some thugs had invaded the party office on Wednesday over the just concluded 3 man Delegates congress in the party.According to a statement by Kelechi Eke, media aide to the senator, he expressed regret over the attack by hoodlums.

READ MORE:https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/senator-anyanwu-blows-hot-over-thugs-invasion-of-imo-pdp-secretariat/

Governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA from Imo State yesterday at the party’s Book Launch and Retreat in Awka, Anambra State engaged in rat race to outpace each other as they made huge donations that ran into millions of naria at the event.

READ MOREhttps://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/imo-apga-guber-aspirants-in-naira-rain-at-retreat-in-awka/

It was a theatre of confusion and drama at the Imo State headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Owerri as security operatives averted a likely breakdown of law and order.


The bone of contention was the list of party delegates for the forthcoming National Convention scheduled to hold in the first week of October.

According to an eye witness who spoke on condition on anonymity, he said some angry youths invaded the party secretariat located at Okigwe Road chanting war songs and lit bonfire with old motor tyres at the entrance of the Secretariat.


The eye witness said the angry youths came on behalf of a top party chieftain who felt aggrieved and short changed by another contender on the outcome of the 3 man Delegates election in the party held at the weekend.

A party source said the election in the area of contention was earlier cancelled and rescheduled to hold on September 12, 2018 to enable party chieftains sort out “grey areas and contentious issues that arose”


Some of the party members who volunteered information on what led to the tense situation told our reporter that some members of ALGON (some PDP members who were Council Chairmen and Councillors) had sought and obtained a court order restraining the party from excluding them as statutory delegates to the National Convention.

There has been tension in Imo PDP since the delegates election were held last week.


Two camps loyal to a former Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, two front line governorship aspirants had been involved in accusations and counter accusations on the outcome of the delegates congress.

The two camps had claimed that their loyalists emerged as delegates in the exercise

When contacted the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Damian Opara declined comments on the development.
https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/war-in-imo-pdp-over-delegates-congress/

As part of its readiness to capture power in 2019 at all levels and reposition for the titanic electoral battle ahead in Imo State, the United Progressive Party, UPP held its State Congress on Monday.
The Congress was held at the State Party Secretariat, Owerri.

Party members at the Congress elected a new State executives with Hon.Innocent Njoku emerging the new State Chairman of the party
Mr. Benjamin Ehirim was elected the State Secretary of the party. No fewer than 13 other officers were elected to fill up various positions in the State Working Committee that will lead the party to the 2019 polls in Imo State and thereafter.

The exercise was peaceful and devoid of rancour as party chieftains and members expressed their determination to energize the party and take over the reins of governance of the State in 2019.

READ MORE:https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/imo-upp-hold-state-congress-reposition-for-2019-guber/

The remains of Late Nze Joe Anyama was laid to rest at his country home at Amanator in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.

Here some snapshots from the funeral.
https://innonews.com.ng/2018/09/late-owerri-based-newspaper-publisher-anyama-laid-to-rest-photos/

Q[b]Imo State has been plagued by bad governance in the last seven years that has led to collapse of the economy. This has inflicted pain and misery on the people. How do you intend to change this sad trend?[/b]

This is a sad development and I wonder why attention has not been given to it by some of my co aspirants on how our people will be liberated from economic strangulation we have witnessed in the last seven years.So much emphasis has been placed on politicking without anyone coming up on how to salvage our people from the economic ruins in our State. The truth is Imo State is in economic limbo and I think what brought us to this sorry pass is inconsistencies in policies of government. The first step we can liberate our State is to create jobs and employment opportunities for thousands of our youths. The deteriorating status of our youths stems from government’s neglect and misplacement of priorities.
Nwulu Leading Some Youths In Abuja Demanding The Signing Into Law Of The Not Too Young To Run Act

As a youth myself, I underwent the pains of growing up and I knew what I went through to withstand the harsh conditions of life and so I know what it means when a youth is jobless. In my several speeches since I joined the Imo governorship race, I had said the youths will constitute 80% of my cabinet. That is my bond with Imo youths and I will stick to it. That does not mean our elders will be kept aside. My government will tap from their fountain of wisdom to move our State forward. My priority will be to encourage youth involvement in governance which the Not Too Young To Run Act I initiated on the floor of the House of Representatives is all about. For initiating that singular act, I remain the ladder for the younger generation to take up leadership positions in Imo State. Youth development will be of serious concern to me. My administration will establish a World class entrepreneurial training Institute across the 27 Local Governments in the State to effectively equip our youth and curb unemployment.

Also, I m in the governorship race to help salvage our State from ruins by creating channels and avenues for our people to be self sufficient. We are plagued by a system where wealth is only enjoyed by a few in our State. No State develops at this pace and this has to change . I intend to establish a transparent, accountable, responsive, committed government. I will roll out policies that would build a sustainable State where human capital development will be promoted. I will improve access to investment opportunities.

READ MORE: click:https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/tony-nwulu-how-i-will-revive-imo-economy-interview/

The remains of the founder of the first local newspaper in Imo State, Nze Joe Anyama will be interred in Ideato South LGA of Imo State.


https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/late-media-icon-for-interment-aug-31-ex-imo-nuj-boss-mourns/

The Ebonyi State Government has shut down a Rice Mill in Abakaliki, the State Capital.

https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/ebonyi-govt-shut-down-rice-mill/

Senator Samuel Anyanwu has picked Nomination/ Expression of Interest Form to signal his readiness to vie for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State.

https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/race-for-imo-pdp-ticket-gets-tough-as-senator-anyanwu-picks-nomination-form/

A group of political analysts have predicted how political parties classified as "small" may cruise home to victory in next year's governorship election.

READ MORE https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/how-smaller-political-parties-have-won-imo-guber-elections/

The Owerri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Obinna has spoken on the current of wave of defections by politicians across the country.

https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/archbishop-obinna-speakes-on-political-defections-odenigbo-lecture/

It is almost one year the great Eke Ukwu Owerri market was demolished by the Rochas Okorocha administration.



READ MORE: https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/eke-ukwu-owerri-market-one-year-after-demolition-special-report/

Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim has explained why he should be re elected to Government House, Owerri in 2019.

https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/ohakim-why-i-should-return-to-imo-government-house-in-2019/

There will be restriction of movement across Imo State on Saturday, August 26, 2018 for the conduct of local government election.

https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/why-there-will-be-restriction-of-movement-in-imo-on-august-25/

The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said it will not take part in Saturday's local government election in Imo State scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 26, 2018.

READ MORE:https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/imo-pdp-reveals-why-it-will-boycott-imo-lga-election/

The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission has said there is no Court Order stopping the local government election.

This was revealed by ISIEC Chairman, Barr Ethelbert Ibebuchi who spoke to newsmen at NUJ headquarters in Owerri.
https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/no-court-order-stopping-imo-lga-polls-isiec/

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has fingered church leaders and members in the State for persecuting his government despite his efforts to develop the State in the last seven years.

He however confessed that he has incurred the wrath of many churches within Owerri municipality due to his administration’s urban renewal programme.

The Governor who spoke at a media parley in Owerri said “the re-moval of the church at Ware¬house Roundabout angered members of the Pentecostal churches against me and removal of a church fence at Akwakuma made the Catholics declare me persona non grata, while the removal of some churches to create Sam Mbakwe Road from Umezuruike Hospital angered the Apostolic and some white garment churches.”


READ MORE:https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/okorocha-the-church-persecuting-my-govt/

A truck suddenly tripped and collapsed along a major road in Owerri- the Okigwe Road/Government House Round About- on Wednesday morning.

No lives was lost as the collapsed truck is causing some traffic gridlock.

https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/panic-as-truck-collapse-in-owerri/

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu's open endorsement for the governorship ambition of Senator Samuel Anyanwu has opened a floodgate of reactions from party chieftains within the Imo PDP.


https://innonews.com.ng/2018/08/guber-ticket-iwuanyanwus-support-for-senator-anyanwu-causes-stir-in-imo-pdp/

2019-IMO-GUBER-RACE


MBAITOLI LGA AND HER UNCOMMON SOLIDARITY FOR MAJA PARTY .


+ Njoku MacDonald Obinna .



Owerri , Imo State.


The demonstration of uncommon solidarity and strong belief in the political ideology and reformation agenda of the Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) Party by its numerous supporters , followers and party faithful in Mbaitoli LGA and across other LGAs in Owerri zone , visa vis : Owerri North , Owerri West and Ngor Okpala ; best described last Saturday's Mbaitoli LGA Political meeting of MAJA Party as ably coordinated and organised by its local government party Chairman , Hon (Chief) Ifeanyi Agucha .


The August Political meeting which started with an opening prayer by the LGA women leader , Mary Irogbili , was chorused with shout of Amen in Trinity and unity of purpose for a better and more reformed Imo State.


The event which had in attendance MAJA Party LGA Chairmen of Owerri zone, the Chief host, Hon. Chief Ifeanyi Agucha; Mbaitoli LGA; Hon. Oparaugo Emeka , Owerri West LGA ; Hon. Felix Agarem , Ngor Okpala LGA; Hon. Ezinwa , the Director- General , Imo Reformation Project , Hon. Chikezie Oguejiofor , and of course, "the man of the moment " , Imo governorship hopeful under MAJA party, His Excellency , Chief Barr . Aloysius Osondo Osuji .

Meanwhile , all the 12 wards in the LGA of :

√ Afara / Eziama

√ Amaike Mbieri


√ Ezinihite Mbieri

√ Ifakala

√ Ogbaku

√ Ogwa 1


√ Ogwa 2

√ Orodo 1

√ Orodo 2

√ Ubomiri

√ Umunoha /Azara

√ Umunwoha /Mbieri / Umuawu ;were fully represented by their various Ward Chairmen who really worked very assiduously in line with the directives of the LGA Chairman to galvanise support from the grassroots .


Chief Ifeanyi Agucha , LGA Boss of MAJA Party , during his opening speech welcomed the party faithful, supporters , August visitors and other onlookers who might be converted to party members through , either strategic negotiation, conviction or persuasion , since Mbaitoli people are really fed up with the recycled old politicians in the state .

Agucha however , thanked them in no small measures for their massive turn -up and uncommon belief in the political ideology of MAJA Party which centers around the social welfare and economic rejuvenation of a comatose Imo economy through mismanagement of public trust and treasury.

Speaking further during his remarks , the LGA Chairman maintained that the identification of active wards in Mbaitoli is in line with the party's strategic approach towards ensuring that all hands are on deck to achieving a common goal of victory in the 2019 elections .

In his own words, he described MAJA Party as : " The only party that doesn't need to bribe their way into the hearts of the people by sharing money . Our sincerity of purpose to reform Imo State speaks for us " , he concluded .

Meanwhile, the governorship contender for Douglas House , the man of the moment, Chief (Barr) Aloysius Osondo Osuji; who was ushered into the stage by a heavy downpour, described it as a blessing in disguise , an indication that the people were gathered for a good cause .
He however, assured numerous party faithful who defied the rain to attend the political parley that MAJA party has come to stay .


In his separate speech , he highlighted some of his policy thrusts and strategies on how to govern Imo State if elected in 2019.

He maintained that the only person capable of governing Imo State is one with proven track record of effective service delivery matched with integrity and the capacity to lead .

He buttressed further that, his first priority will be to restructure the poor eduction system and make it more functional .

He also promised to create job opportunities for our teeming unemployed graduates who roam the streets of Owerri without direction .


On the industrialization of the state , he added that he would use his international contact to bring foreign investors that shall enter into joint business venture with the state government through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Osuji narrated his ordeal a few weeks ago during his tour in Imo State when he visited Nkede village with an awful and disgusting site of heap of dirts littered on the road .

As an Industrialist , he promised to partner with his Chinese partners to import incinerators which would be used to recycle the dirts and convert same into fertilizer for agro-allied and economic purposes .


He stated that Technical Centres would be constructed across the major towns in the three Senatorial Zones of Imo State ; to enhance youths productivity and national development .


Other economic blueprints fashioned into his policy if elected include , but not limited to :

* Creation of Micro-Non Stoping jobs for both graduates and those interested in technical training and skills acquisition .
* Mechanized System of Farming : Hectares of land will be mapped out in all the Senatorial Zones in the state for agro-allied farm business that will productively engage over 20,000 Imo youths .

* New Imo Health Care Services : He promised to fully equip all the hospitals in the state while ensuring free health care antenatal services for pregnant women and nursing mothers . He also added that periodic free medical check-up shall be carried on the aged while home-for -the-aged will be constructed in each LGA .


Chief Aloysius Osondo Osuji , whose amiable and charming wife , Lolo (Mrs) Chinwe Osuji , is an international Medical Practitioner of repute through the contacts of his wife's foreign partners in the United Kingdom , India , United States , etc , would ensure non-stop distribution of certified and endorsed free drugs to the various health Centres in the state if elected .


Nevertheless , the highflight International lawyer and politician, promised to embark on the upgrading of Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport to passenger International Airport ; which shall be achieved within the two years of his administration when elected as the template to make this work is already in the oven .


On child abuse and trafficking through Street Hawking , he vowed to put a stop to that maintaining that our children who are our future leaders need good education for character modification and attitudinal change so as to be properly oriented as Hawking on the streets exposes children to a number of abuses ; including sexual harassment .

The governorship hopeful also informed that he would give women a sense of belonging by ensuring that 45% of his appointment goes to the women , maintaining that his Deputy which will come either from Owerri or Okigwe Zone must be a woman of substance , with high sense of family values ; well read and a lover of the women fold and children .

While giving out his ' security votes ' back to the state for core developmental purposes , the governorship hopeful maintained that such amount is too much for a state governor whose security architecture is controlled by the Federal government.


Conclusively , while presenting himself as the best bet for the race , Imo major contender for Douglas House in the 2019 elections , Chief Osuji advised Mbaitoli people and the entire Imolites not to vote out of sympathy .

Meanwhile, the Director General of his Campaign Organisation, Hon. Chikezie Oguejiofor attested to this by maintaining that the three C's that stand the governorship hopeful out are : Character • Competence • Credibility •


Since his word is his bond , he therefore , challenged Imo electorate to #Holdhimaccountable .




#NJOKUMACDONALDOBINNA

Media Consultant |• News Reporter |• Blogger


Senior Media Consultant to Chief (Barr) Aloysius Osondo Osuji ; 2019 Imo governorship contender for Douglas House.



News@TheAbba4thforce.com