₦airaland Forum

Omexonomy: Must the gov to be from a catholic church.

Angelica Divine: In the run up to the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State, virtually all the political parties and aspirants seem yet to find their rhythm. The election holds barely 90 days away to elect Gov Peter Obi’s successor.

Analysts blame the scenario on the delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in releasing the guidelines and timetable for the election.

The aspirants had been cautions not to run foul of the laws, or be seen as jumping the gun when the Commission had not given the green light to start campaigns. The green light finally came some three weeks ago. The contest is characterised by intrigues and scheming by the various political blocs and camps.

The PDP is one of the most visible parties in the state, but grapples with efforts at self-rediscovery. The party is besetted with crisis over whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan will seek re-election in 2015. The North says he should not. Anambra must be high on the PDP agenda as it remains the arrowhead to determine where the South-east geo-political zone goes in the 2015 polls. So, with the state’s governorship election fast approaching, the party must stand firm, for obvious political reasons.

Now, those who have not been part of the politics in Anambra for many years are said to have stormed to the Wadata House headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to pick the Expression of Interest(EOI) form. The fee went up from the N250,000 in 2009 to N1 million for the Anambra guber ticket.

MASSIVE PURCHASE
But this has not dampened the spirit of the about 27 aspirants jostling for the PDP ticket, even as more than half are said to be women, one of them a hairdressing salon operator in Awka. At least two aspirants have been accused of massive purchase of the form for their respective camps.

Alleged abuse of the free access of the PDP female aspirants to the nomination form is also said to be generating ripples and may force the party to review the policy. Wadata Plaza sources said the fee for the nomination form could go up as high as between N10m and N20m for each aspirant. The hike, it is believed, would help keep unserious aspirants, proxies and stooges out of the race.

Primary election will obviously determine who picks the PDP ticket for the Anambra guber race. But the allegation that two aspirants have acquired the nomination form for about ten of their supporters is causing tension.

Analysts say the move may be a design to put a clog in the wheel of the primary election stated for August 24. The game plan was to put the PDP in a situation whereby there will be a repeat of the primary. “In the end, they would use their contacts at the Wadata Plaza to settle for a consensus candidate option, hoping that that would favour them more, having already watered the grounds well in that direction,”a source familiar with the race for the PDP ticket in the state said.

“Alternatively, they would bamboozle the party headquarters into inviting all the ‘aspirants’ to Abuja where the matter would be resolved through internal mechanism. This includes but not likely to be limited to asking the ‘aspirants’ to vote among themselves to choose who they want to fly the party’s flag at the Nov 16 governorship election in the state. Of course the outcome would be foreclosed as each ‘aspirant’ would simply vote for his/her sponsor.”

Some of the guber aspirants, especially in the PDP, are reportedly being sponsored by some northern elements with a view to using them to attempt to scuttle President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 agenda. Analysts say Aso Rock may consider backing the aspirant without political blemish or baggage.

TOP ON LIST
The analysts said of all those jostling for the PDP ticket, only Walter Ubaka Okeke and Alex Obiogbolu are exciting the party’s big wigs. But Okeke, according to them, remains top on the list as he fits perfectly into the battle to pick the PDP ticket because he is said to be well-heeled with a deep pocket, well-read, psychologically very stable, and a key player in the Nigeria’s big oil/gas services sector since 1995.

His businesses are domiciled in the Niger Delta. He was said to have been paying to the governments an annual tax in the region of millions of naira, as against other contestants who pay peanuts and only for the sake of the gubernatorial election process requirement. He is reportedly married from either Bayelsa or Rivers.

While Obiogbolu reportedly has what it takes to govern the state, the larger section of Anambra’s 177 communities is said not to be favourably disposed to someone from his area due to social reasons. But he is seen as capable and qualified with immense administrative experience in government business. Obiogbolu is a reputable medical officer and successful businessman who has a lot of enduring legacies to his credit in the state’s civil service.

Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, a close confidant of a South-south governor, is said to be among those who have not visited the state in the last 10years. It seems his only reason for picking the form is because one of the key players in the PDP politics urges him on. Unfortunately, the present political equation of the state does not favour his aspiration, as he comes from the Central zone like the outgoing Governor Obi and former Gov. Ngige.

NASS MEETING
For Senator Andy Uba, it was said that he has been working against the emergence of the PDP candidate based on primary election. Sources accused him of moving to upstage all other aspirants undemocratically. He was alleged to have held meetings with his ‘aspirants’ in Abuja. Some serving and former members of the House of Representatives including Ben Nwankwo, Fort Dike, Eucharia Azodo and Lynda Ikpeazu allegedly attended the meetings recently. These meetings were described as historical as it was the first to be held between the senator and Reps as a group since their inauguration in the National Assembly.

Chief Mike Okoye, a successful legal practitioner, was alleged to be relying on his friendship with the former Governor Diepreye Alameseigha to grab the PDP ticket. Unfortunately his political traducers are quick to point out that he once held sway in Hope Democratic Party but let go of it when it mattered most, hence political watchers wonder what he really wants this time around.

RELIGION FACTOR
Dr Obinna Uzor remains a close friend of former President Gen Ibrahim Babangida, and also does not hide his penchant to cling to anything Catholic. That’s why he has been going round building parishes for his beloved faith. Analysts say he may at the end of the day realise why the holy book warns that in heaven, there is no Catholic, Anglican or Pagan.

Elders of the party in Anambra State are said to be rooting for a holistic review of the input each of the aspirants has made to the growth or otherwise of the party in the past ten years.

Some of the aspirants were alleged to have sowed confusion and crises in the PDP only to run into another party. It is feared that they are on the familiar move again, knowing fully well that the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP is not kidding on enthroning internal democracy and discipline.

Anambra is among the few states to have about four citizens in the party’s Board of Trustees(BOT)-Dr Alex Ekwueme, Senator Onyeabor Obi, Chief Maxwell Okudoh and Mrs Iyom Josephine Anenih. They cannot be indifferent about who runs their state as governor, hence must be interested in this contest.

GRASSROOTS SUPPORT
Any serious contender for the Anambra governorship ought to go round the state to express his/her interest to run in the November 16 election. Investigations show that only Walter Okeke, Obiogbolu and Tony Nwoye have done so.

Analysts believe than when all the factors are considered, the PDP may end up with a dark horse like Walter Okeke, said to be surefooted and firmly etched in business and politics of the state. He is said to be miles ahead of the Ubas, the Ukachukwus and the Soludos as he has in the course of his 326 ward tours displayed an unusual mastery of the state geography and political idiosyncrasies of the various zones. And going by the pronouncements of the party’s national chairman during the inauguration of Gov Seriake Dickson-led PDP Reconciliation Committee, they are very prepared to reclaim Anambra among other states the party lost.

INSIDE APGA
Gov Obi is believed to have President Jonathan’s ears. Yet he is said to be rooting for Prof Charles Soludo, a former CBN Governor, who apparently left the PDP because he failed to get the nod of Mr President, as the APGA candidate. This is clearly an ambush for whoever Mr President’s PDP nominates.

As he counts days to his departure and after working so hard to dismember his APGA, Obi is said to be playing church politics card. He wants his Catholic faith to dominate others with mind-boggling ratio in virtually everything in the state. To achieve his aim this time, he is said to be reconciling with his embattled national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, a fellow Catholic, using Soludo, also a Catholic, as the bargaining chip.

Soludo too is said to be ready to reconcile with his sister in-law, Prof Dora Akunyili, also a Catholic, to upstage the looming political volcano APGA being foisted by the elements in PDP. It was for this reason the former Central Bank chief recently dumped the PDP for APGA, just like Akunyili. They are Catholics, and are all very qualified, no doubt. They fit properly into the out-going governor’s ‘all-Catholic’ profile agenda.

Close watchers of events in Anambra contend that the lack of geo-balance and respect for the sensibilities of the electorate by the key players in the newly formed All Progressives Congress(APC) is the greatest headache its most visible aspirant, Dr Chris Ngige, would have. In addition, many of those who were close to him have vowed to oppose him,this time. Their reasons are similar and personal- they allege he underrates loyalty. His upcoming APC is equally accused of lacking sense of fair distribution of anything, not even the party positions.

MANY WARS
Ifeanyi Ubah is an energetic young man with visible burning zeal to better the lot of the masses, but the Nigerian factor is alleged to have become his greatest undoing. He may have issues of security clearance ahead of the election. He has too many wars on his hands with federal agencies.

Source: http://infonigeria24.com/anambra-2014-one-office-multiple-contenders/

2015: Northern elders, youths endorse Jonathan
July 27, 2013
By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- AHEAD the 2015 Presidential election, Northern elders and youths yesterday stormed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Abuja to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for the exalted position, just as they pleaded with him to make himself available and vie.

The elders and youths came under the aegis of three groups, Northern Elders Forum, North/South New Nigeria Forum, Fresh Air Continuity Group of North West and Northern PDP Youth.

The groups – led by a former Education Minister under the late Gen Abacha’s regime and former Presidential Aspirant of All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, Dr Dauda Birmah, on a solidarity visit to the PDP national Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur – declared that the North would ever be grateful to the PDP led Government of President Jonathan for creating a conducive atmosphere that made the release of the former Chief Security Adviser to late Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha possible after over 14 years of incarceration.

They however hailed Jonathan over the release from prison of Major Hamza al-Mustapha, just as they promised to get most voters in the north, especially North West to support and vote for him.

Dauda Birma, said “Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership has been rated as the best administration so far. With what Jonathan has done in Maiduguri, I can affirm that the city is now safer than most parts of the country”.

According to him, Major Mustapha’s release would not have been possible by the ordinary fiat of the court if not for the underground work of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the consent of the executive of the President Jonathan led administration, adding that the Groups decided to come out openly to appreciate the exemplary leadership qualities of the President Jonathan since assumption of office which had been unprecedented in the anal of Nigeria.

He said they were also at the PDP National Secretariat to correct insinuations that the People of the North especially the North- West Zone were against his Presidential ambition come 2015, adding that the release of Major Al-Mustapha had further fuelled the supports of the North for the re election of President Jonathan come 2015.

The leaders of the three Groups, Hajia Nana Abdulkadri, Mallam Mohammed Omeri and Ibrahim Mohammed in their remarks expressed their appreciation for the release of the former CSO and acknowledged the roles of the leadership of the Party and the President and as well dismissed the wrong notion that the North in general was against the Presidential ambition of Dr Jonathan come 2015.

Responding, Alhaji Tukur said that it was a thing of joy for him for three different Groups to come at the same time to appreciate openly the achievements of the PDP led administration of President Jonathan at this point in time when wrong impressions were being created that all was not well in the country.

According to him, “to me, this is democracy in action, people will agree with you,people will also disagree with you, we can not see things the same way at all times, when we see good things we should celebrate like these groups are doing now, celebrate good things, celebrate democracy, celebrate justice, don’t be intimidated by others, this is your country, hold it firmly”.

biafranqueen: Kano was built by an Igbo man and he had to come back after the war with almost nothing

Biafran's have to fight economically not with guns. This is a fight to build the east. We keep bragging we are holding up Nigeria but where is the physical proof.
In 40 more years the leased land in Lagos will now expire for some... then your factory and land will be at the discretion of the current Governor. How will you leave a legacy to your children's children. All we can think about is now now now. Who is going to modernize our town if it is not the business people?

pokur: Dude,I gave u straight up Nnewi history not conjectures or suppositions.
Btw,why do u think they always append "of Nnofo Royal lineage" to the Igwe?.Ever heard of the Enem lineage?.Not to detract,Ezeagha was never an Igwe,not to talk of being the first.My great-grandmother was a descendent,though i am descended from Eze Em n Eze Nwanagum,2nd n 3rd Obis of Uruagu myself,so I know what I talk of.Get back home n enquire of ur elders starting with ur obi umunna right up to the palace.
Also,no Igwe has ever RULED over Nnewi (ur word n intendment).They reigned.Real power lies with the Nzuko Ora n the priesthood,especially Edo-Ezemewi priests.

biafranqueen: Yes we must act now ladies if I could talk sense into my husband you can too! We must make Igboland our top priority it is imperative. All lands in Lagos must be sold and reinvested before the Land Act takes place, and while the market is hot. We must build up the real estate value in the East!!
You are right it must be more organized. I have just advocated this among Nnewians and among my family and those in the diaspora in our Associations.

175: May I equally appeal that this fella is conferred a chieftaincy title too by the Eze Ndigbo of NAIRALAND as the;

Onu gbajiri grammar one of Nairaland.

pokur: You both got your Nnewi history wrong!
For starters,Uru (Umudim) was never Igwe Nnewi as he was Nnewi's third son after Digbo (Otolo n Eze Kwuabo's father) n Edoji,the second son.The Ofor passed on to him cos even in his father's lifetime he showed aptitude for priesthood n judgeship.Otolo,on his part was Nnewi's grandson not his son.
Coming to Eze Afuogu ju nni,he was grandson or great grandson to Ezeana Isu ,Nnewi's brother n technically the first Obi of what is known as Uruagu Nnewi today.His sons n their family had to go on exile cos of murder n the vacuum created was what Eze Afuogu,his daughter's son by an Oba man filled.So,we are related by blood,Otolo n Uruagu.Don't forget,the descendants of Edoji,Nnewi's second son are part of Uruagu today.
Just clearing that up,didn't mean to derail the thread.
Btw @Onlytruth,Ezeagha was never an Igwe Nnewi.He was prince n warrior of repute,BROTHER to Igwe Ezeoguine (not his uncle).He was one of the few in Nnewi's history to be conferred with Dike Onuo Orah for his battle prowess n victories.

biafranqueen: What I was taught was that it started in Umudim and that the Obi defiled that land and it was handed to Otolo. As you said it was a smooth transition because Umudim people did not want our Obi to continue with the Ofor and the next in line was Orizu. Some families such as Nwafor Orizu a cousin to Igwe and Barrister B C Musa tried to force themselves to the throne, but they failed.

igbo2011: Are you part of those families?

viewlekan: Ema wo Aridin yi. You a strategic thinker? You guys got jokes. I think you should go read all your posts on this thread again before you come here and chat nonsense. You call Fashola a coward because he sent nuisances back to ONISHA. I dont think you have got the memo yet mate, this will be an ongoing monthly exercise. Lagos State is not a CHARITY organisation, we have infrastructures to build and problems to address. Before you continue pointing the accusing fingers, how does your own state and Nnewi in particular deal with nuisances from other states? i guess you will say you have a 5 star accommodation for them.

Anyway new order in Lagos now and the earlier you get used to it the better for your hypertension problem.

viewlekan: BLAH BLAH...

For all those you who have suddenly turned to lawyers and suddenly gained a PhD in Constitutional Law immediately you saw the report, I will implore you to go and read up because there have been precedence for relocation and movement of miscreants even within a political and economic union.

Abagworo: I'm in support of Fashola. Igbos need to stop investing outside Igboland and come back home. Most rich Yorubas in Port Harcourt refuse to buy land or use Port Harcourt as their head office even though they make more money here. You can't be investing all your life earnings in other parts of Nigeria and at the same time calling for Biafra. We need to retrace our steps.

next excel: I am from enugu but i hate boasting or noise trully my igbo brothers are making mistake,if ur trully hurt my all this tretment on the igbos take a step to address it,now ethiopain airline has included enugu in their in ternational flight (visit their site they will start with ten cities on august 29)start by patronising them no matter how cheap ar expensive it is and try move ur head office to the east and gradually all this will stope,i dont respond youruba ppls cus i now they are not worth being compard with us in any feild of life.

simpleseyi: Say anything you want; Do your worst; But stay in your region and develop your region; I thought you people said that you own Lagos and the whole of South-West; You said you develop Lagos and the whole of South-West; Now we are telling you directly and indirectly that Lagos is part of Oduduwa Nation and not part of Biafra or Arewa. You sacrificed 2 millions of your people for civil war the last time; Our people are precious to us and we shall never ever sacrifice our people for anything; If you start another senseless unprepared war again, we shall still use the old trick to put you where you belong.

chino11: One of them who gave her name as Chima said he hails from Abia State, adding that she was arrested some time in May last year by a group of people in uniform on her way to Okokomaiko in Lagos where she lived.

She said that she was kept in a dark room that looked like a warehouse for several days along with many other people, adding that up till the time she was brought into Onitsha, she never knew what she did that warranted her arrest.

[size=16]She also said that many of those arrested along with her died in detention[/size]


- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/70-persons-deported-to-onitsha-from-lagos/#sthash.L4ZRU8bU.dpuf