Nyame, Kalu, five other ex-govs still facing trial —EFCC

The Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, has said that seven former governors are still facing trial for money laundering offences.

He also said that the commission had recovered N65,320,669,350.35 between 2012 and 2014.

Uwujaren, who said this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, added that the commission also recovered $245, 952,030.13 during the period.

The EFCC spokesman made the comment while debunking an alleged claim by a dismissed member of staff of the EFCC that the commission had not achieved anything during a policy Dialogue of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos.

But Uwajaren said, “Between 2012 and 2014, the commission recovered N65,320,669,350.35. Also, the sum of $245, 952,030.13 and €693, 399.00 was also recovered during the period.”

The EFCC spokesman, who also commented on the cases against some ex-governors, said that the commission’s cases against seven governors on money laundering and related cases were ongoing in various court in the country.

He said that the case against the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, was suspended as a result of his election and current status.

The ex-governors, according to him, are Chimaroke Nnamani, Orji Kalu, Joshua Dariye, Abubakar Audu, Danjuma Goje, Akwe Doma, Rev. Jolly Nyame.

“The cases involving former Kogi State governor, Abubakar Audu, a former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje, a former Nasarawa State governor, Akwe Doma, a former Taraba State governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame are progressing in courts, as several witnesses have been called by the prosecution.

“Of course, the case against Ayodele Fayose has only been temporarily halted by the fact of his re-election as Ekiti State governor,” he added

He stated also that while Orji Kalu was still challenging the competence of the commission to file charges against him, Joshua Dariye had been ordered to go on trial by the Supreme Court where he had gone to challenge the verdict of the Court of Appeal that the commission could file charges against him.

Uwujaren said that the commission had closed the cases against three ex-governors, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State who was convicted but got state pardon, Chief James Ibori of Delta State who is serving a jail term in the United Kingdom and Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State who was also convicted.

He stated that the commission also seized several properties from the governors facing prosecution.

The EFCC spokesman also said that the commission might declare a former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, wanted for refusing to honour an invitation from the commission.

The commission had invited Sheriff on April 25, 2015 over allegations of financial misappropriation, embezzlement and abuse of office.

T.A ORJI is a good administrator

'Chukwumerije Family Refused Involvement of Abia State Government in His Burial'

Abia State Government has given reasons for her non participation in the burial of Senator Uche Chukwumerije representing Abia North in the Senate,saying that it was only respecting the wishes of the late senator and his family asking the government to steer clear of the burial.

Briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, following reports in some sections of the media on the full participation or non-participation of Abia State Government in the Senator’s burial, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. ACB Agbazuere, said that no responsible person or Government could have ignored such, adding that no member of the Chukwumerije’s family bothered to inform the Abia State government that Senator Uche Chukwumerije had serious health challenges.
That notwithstanding, he said, when the news of the death of the senator was received, Governor T.A.Orji through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa sent out a condolence message which was widely published by both the print, New Media and electronic media.

According to him, the Governor equally sent the liaison officer in charge of Abuja, Mr. Ogbonna Agbiri Anyaoha to Chukwumerije family as protocol demands to inform them that he was coming to visit the family at their Abuja residence but the request was turned down by the family with a threat to beat up Agbiri if not that he was their brother (from Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA).
Dr. Agbazuere stated that again the Governor sent the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Chief Umeh Kalu to the Chukwumerije family to secure date and time for his planned condolence visit which the first son of the deceased Che Chidi Chukwumerije and the others rebuffed and signaled that they were not expecting the Governor and that he should steer clear of the burial.

The Commissioner disclosed that Chukwumerije’s family further told Chief Umeh Kalu that they had instructions from their father not to allow the Governor or the State Government to play any role in his funeral, contending that they will not want to go against their father’s wish, adding that Chief Umeh made other efforts through sen. Chukwumerije’s lawyer, his aide Tom Ezeikpe and others which did not change the position of the family.
Agbazuere said the position of the Chukwumerij’e is still surprising as neither the Governor nor the state Government ever did any wrong to Senator Chukwumerije except perhaps that he was not supported to return to the Senate for the 4th time after being Senator for 12 years.

Did you guys forget that times without number it was made public to all the traders to stop street trading and erection of illegal structures ..so i think they have been warned several times to desist from such.I think the govt has taken some measure to adress the issue of street trading and erection of unwanted structures..

people especially gullible minds will just take to believing on the pictorials just as they are but a thorough search would be needed by a a man of great wit to know actually if there is some elements of truth and then then brain behind it

Gov Orji inspects International Conference Centre, Shoprite, Others
.Expresses happiness on the quality, progress of work

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has expressed happiness with the quality and progress of work at the International Conference Centre, the Shoprite in Umuahia North Local Government Area and the Old Umuahia erosion site in Umuahia South Local Government Area.

Answering questions from newsmen after visiting the projects to ascertain the progress of work, Governor Orji said that the projects are dear to him.

According to him, the projects when completed will stand the test of time and serve the people of the state, adding that the Shoprite will boost commerce in the state.

Governor Orji said he was happy that the erosion site at Old Umuahia has been brought under check as many surrounding houses would have been eaten up if left unattended to, pointing out that the government is also doing the road.

He stated that some of the legacy projects that are ready will be commissioned before he leaves office while others that have reached advanced stages of completion will be completed and commissioned by the incoming government.

He said that for him the most important thing is starting and completing the projects and not necessarily the commissioning, maintaining that government has signed an MOU with reputable companies that will manage the buildings to ensure that they last.

Special announcement
April 23, 2015
Press Release
The attention of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State, has been drawn to the ugly incident witnessed in Aba this morning, where caskets are been dropped at various places in Aba, with a threat that those who will not vote for Dr. Ikpeazu and the PDP in the Saturday's supplementary election will die.
Dr Okezie is by this means dissociating himself from such dastardly act, and also inform Abians and the general public that such is the handiwork of the opposition who have shown their desperations in various ways since the beginning of the governorship contest.
Dr. Okezie is however assuring Aba people who have always supported him not to be deterred by the intimidation from Alex Otti and his party, APGA, urging Ndi Aba and Abians in the wards and polling units where the supplementary election will hold on Saturday to come out and vote him as they did on April 11.
Dr. Ikpeazu is also urging the Aba business community to go about their lawful business without any fear of molestations.
Signed:
ENYINNAYA APPOLOS
Personal Assistant to
Dr Okezie Ikpeazu

SUPPLEMENTARY GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
IN ABIA STATE SLATED FOR 25/4/2015:
The Position of Abia State Government

Whereas the Government of Abia State is aware of the high level of injustice being meted to our party–the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 Abia State Governorship election;
Whereas the government of Abia State believes that only a peaceful and harmonious relationship among Abians can be a catalyst for sustainable socio-economic growth of our dear state;
Whereas the INEC Returning Officer for Abia State Prof Benjamin Ozumba has ordered a supplementary election in some units in the State with a total number of 179,224 registered voters as announced by him;
Whereas in the already released results by Prof Benjamin Ozumba, the PDP candidate Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu scored a total of 248,459 votes while his closest rival Alex Otti of APGA scored a total of 165,406 votes which gives Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu a clear lead with 83,053 votes;
Whereas the number of registered voters and the number of those that collected their permanent voters cards in the areas slated for supplementary elections in Abia State are of public knowledge; The Abia State government hereby states as follows:
1. The Abia State Government accepts that our party - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will participate in the governorship supplementary elections slated for 25th April, 2015 in the state.
2. Government, however, insists that card readers must be used for accreditation.
3. It is government’s position that INEC should configure the card readers to reflect the various units where supplementary elections will hold.
4. The card readers should be on zero and shall be inspected by the agents of our party – the Peoples Democratic Party, before and after accreditation to checkmate foul play.
5. The number of accredited voters should also be entered in the appropriate form and signed by all parties.
6. That no Chairman of a Local Government shall be molested or barred from observing proceedings at the collation centres as Chief Security Officers of their various local governments.
7. That we shall no longer tolerate the intimidation of our party members or accept a situation where INEC will allow more party agents or observers for a political party than the number allowed for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
8. That no soldier should be at a polling centre, collation centre or inside any local government council as the impartiality of some officers has become questionable. It is also against INEC guidelines for them to do so.
9. That Abia State government insists that the Chairman of INEC Prof Attahiru Jega should come over to Abia State or send senior INEC officials to monitor the supplementary elections as we have no confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Selina Oko and the State Returning Officer Prof. Benjamin Ozumba.
10. Abians are enjoined to come out en-masse on Saturday 25th April, 2015 and vote for the PDP candidate Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu where you see the umbrella (Mbalari).

Signed:


Dr A.C.B. Agbazuere
Hon. Commissioner for Information & Strategy
Abia State.

ABIA RE-RUN POLLS: SEPA CAUTIONS INEC, MILITARY AGAINST MANIPULATION OF RESULTS
...Calls For Otti's Probe
A socio-political group known as South East Progressives Assembly(SEPA) has cautioned against electoral fraud and irregularities that may be perpetrated to subvert the popular will of Abia people and undemocratically award the governorship of the state to Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) during the Saturday April 25 rerun election in the affected polling units of the state.
SEPA in a statement signed by Ebere Uzoukwa and Comrade Munonye Maximus, President and Secretary respectively and made available to newsmen alleged a possible collaboration between the military and some corrupt INEC officials to divert the results sheets and fabricate outrageous figures that will award victory to the APGA candidate at the end of the day.
The statement reads: "The South East Progressives Assembly has been alerted of the nocturnal meetings involving the Abia State Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), Dr. Alex Otti, some INEC officials, representatives of the State Returning Officer, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba and top military officer from 82 Division of the Nigerian Army to perfect plans on how to rig the Saturday April 25 rerun election and possibly return the ex-Diamond bank chief as governor of Abia state at all cost. We gathered that the said meetings have the sponsorship of a former governor of Abia state, a former Chief of Army Staff also from Abia state and the Nigerian-born African richest businessman. A whopping sum of One Billion Naira(N1,000,000,000) is said to have been earmarked to prosecute and actualize this infamous project of 'Return Alex Otti At All Cost'.
It is therefore our fervent wish to remind INEC and other stakeholders that Abia people have already spoken on April 11 through their massive votes to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. He presently leads Dr. Alex Otti of APGA with 80,053 votes. The total votes in contention in the affected polling units though with 179,224 registered voters are not more than 90,000 after considering non- collection of PVCs and other recurring factors. Therefore, with voter apathy that will naturally characterize the election and INEC only approved card reader accreditation, no sane person can ever predict victory for Dr. Alex Otti as he cannot garner votes that will cancel Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu's 83,053 lead. This obvious fact perhaps informed the reason why Otti and his co-travelers desperately plan to fabricate results to steal Dr. Ikpeazu's mandate on Saturday April 25. But we are optimistic that Abia people will definitely resist any move to subvert their collective will and aspiration.
Again having observed this unimaginable level of desperation that drives Dr. Alex Otti inordinate ambition to take over Abia at all cost, SEPA opted to independently investigate this ex-banker in respect to his activities as an employee of the Diamond bank. Our findings are revealing and shocking. As a socio-political group that lacks powers to indict, we therefore seizing this opportunity to call upon relevant government authorities such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to as a matter of urgency commence investigation on Dr. Alex Otti. But one thing we must not fail to disclose is that the Arochukwu-born ex-banker is desperately seeking constitutional immunity to evade prosecution".

Is Alex Otti Infected With APC VIRUS?
Following the events in Abia in the past few days,
one will notice the desperation, do or die politics
and total lack of sportsmanship which All
Progressive Congress is widely known for. The
confusing thing is that the one orchestrating this
in God's own state is not yet an official member
of the Party.
One is now left to ask: Like Ebola, is APC
syndrome so infectious that a once respected
banker like Alex Otti will engage in thuggery just
to get a mandate which the people clearly gave
to another on grounds of equity and fair play.
Otti has not only refused to congratulate the
obvious winner of the April 11 polls but have
turned Abia into a war zone where the electorate
he sought to lead can no longer move freely.
While the allegations that he is affiliated to APC
with a promise to cross over if he had gotten the
seat rage, he should save his supporters and
Abians from this violence.
He should toe the line of notable politicians like
President Goodluck Jonathan and congratulate
Okezie Ikpeazu. Let him stop being Lai
Mohammed and APC, soaking the dog and the
baboon in blood.
For those who are helping him to perpetrate this
violence, let them remember that no ambition is
worth the blood of anybody.
By their fruits we shall know them. From the acts
of thuggery so far, Abians who are still undecided
should know in whose hands the state will be
calmer and better. While Otti has demonstrated
intolerance to dissenting voices, Okezie will make
Abia a home. Remember this as you go for the
rerun.

Ijeoma F. Uba (uthor)

Ikpeazu has the experience, he has the proven integrity having worked as a lecturer and Abia will profit from having someone who is very well educated as governor. In terms of experience, he has served in various capacities in the university community and in government. He has been a local government chairman and even in Aba that we are trying to rebuild Aba, no one else is better positioned to reposition Aba as he understands the issues with the city more than another other candidate. The programme he has for Aba is better than that of any other candidate

The challenges of infrastructure, you know most of the infrastructure especially in Aba have been broken down. He will also face the challenge of bringing Abians together to come home and invest. However, listening to him campaign, I am confident that he is capable of meeting those challenges and overcoming them.

He lived in Aba, he served in Aba, so he understands Aba more than all these other candidates living outside. So, I am quite sure that he has the capacity and he has the ability to address those challenges and I am quite sure he is the best to address those challenges.

He has the ability and the capacity to face it. Okezie has only one house and it is in Aba and that tells you the degree to which he is attached to the place. The moment we build Aba, the other sides will just come up. Once we build Aba every other part of Abia will feel the impact

I am not supporting any other one. I am not looking elsewhere since I have seen the solution to all the problems. He is very humble and it takes a man of his capacity to address the issues at hand. I am supporting him and no other person. My support for him is absolute.

IS ABIA FOR SALE? He paid $10 million to buy the PDP nomination, and failed; He paid to buy the votes, and failed. Now he's paying to buy a fraudulent result! Abians are you for sale? Somebody should call Alex Otti to order immediately!! Dangote, OUK, Abia INEC REC, Rochas and your APC alliance cannot get you Abia State. Abia State is God's own State and cannot be traded. It is the turn of Ndi Ngwa for equity, fairness, development and regional interest. We are better in PDP for regional interest with our south south neighbors.

Kaa Okezuo Abia!

Alex Otti was at INEC office today to induce the INEC REC after Results of Obingwa, Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa South was declared in favour of PDP. Their initial action in canceling was illegal and beyond their powers, most likely induced. Now they're delaying the declaration unnecessarily after reversing the illegal cancellation. So far, Osisioma results has been declared and Obingwa was just about to be officially declared before the APGA agent, one Ahamdi Nweke attacked the Inec returning officer which resulted for tomorrow postponement by 9 am.
#AbiaDecides

Aba ‘ll soon feel Ikpeazu’s impact — Igwe


Prince Chris Igwe is chief executive officer of Mainland Oil and Gas Company Limited. He is one of the backers of Dr. Okeize Ikpeazu’s aspiration for the governorship of Abia State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview he projects reasons for his support. Excerpts:

Why are you supporting Ikpeazu for the governorship?

Ikpeazu has the experience, he has the proven integrity having worked as a lecturer and Abia will profit from having someone who is very well educated as governor. In terms of experience, he has served in various capacities in the university community and in government. He has been a local government chairman and even in Aba that we are trying to rebuild Aba, no one else is better positioned to reposition Aba as he understands the issues with the city more than another other candidate. The programme he has for Aba is better than that of any other candidate

Ikpeazu has that vision for Abia and Aba and that is one of the major reasons for my support for his candidature.

What are the main Challenge he could face.


Okezie Ikpeazu
The challenges of infrastructure, you know most of the infrastructure especially in Aba have been broken down. He will also face the challenge of bringing Abians together to come home and invest. However, listening to him campaign, I am confident that he is capable of meeting those challenges and overcoming them.

He lived in Aba, he served in Aba, so he understands Aba more than all these other candidates living outside. So, I am quite sure that he has the capacity and he has the ability to address those challenges and I am quite sure he is the best to address those challenges.

He has the ability and the capacity to face it. Okezie has only one house and it is in Aba and that tells you the degree to which he is attached to the place. The moment we build Aba, the other sides will just come up. Once we build Aba every other part of Abia will feel the impact.

If not Ikpeazu who would you have supported.

I am not supporting any other one. I am not looking elsewhere since I have seen the solution to all the problems. He is very humble and it takes a man of his capacity to address the issues at hand. I am supporting him and no other person. My support for him is absolute.

The information reaching our desk has it that as at yesterday while all good Nigerians where awaiting the final outcome of the collation of the presidential result ,it was gathered that Alex Otti was busy going round the communities buying people over by offering them 5 thousand naira each for their votes against the upcoming governorship election.

But he met his Waterloo of disappointment when an old woman from Ngolorie,who happens to be a retired teacher turned him down by telling those he sent around to carry out such improper pre-election conduct to leave her compound or she will shout for the whole world to hear her.The old woman who could not disclose her name to Newsmen said she can't not be bought over ,neither would her children be bought over by APGA candidate,Alex Otti.She said that some women in Ngolorie and men in Ngolorie has been bought over by Allex Otti by selling off their vote through oath-taking and giving of 5 thousand naira.

The Old woman insist her should be be made known to the public ,charged every good citizen of Abia state to restrain from every negotiation with APGA that will make them regret in the days ahead.Speaking to Newsmen in her comfort zone she told reporters and policemen that Allex Otti and his cohorts came to offer every male and female in the village 5 thousand naira each to have them pledge their allegiance for APGA and Otti in the forth coming election.We therefore urge every good citizen of Abia state to desist from listening to what ever offer Alex Otti has got to offer ,as that is a way of a con man who has had ally with Orji Uzor Kalu.

People of Abia state are henceforth urged to not welcome what ever offer and promises ALex Otti has placed on the table for them as he is only doing that out of desperation for power.Do not forget his history of birth and origin.Any aspirant who uses money to buy people over has the tendency of Murder,abuse of office and embezzlement of state fund.Say No to Allex Otti ,say No to political tyranny of APGA.

Patrikobinalhie

Writes from Umuahia.

Abia State Government has given the former Governor of the State, Orji Uzor Kalu 72-hours to apologise to the State over statements he made against the State Government in a recent interview he granted to one of the national dailies or be prepared to be dragged to court for interpretation.

The former Governor was quoted to have said in the interview “our people will burn down the state. We are ready for them.”
Continuing, he further stated “The Governor cannot try it, if he tries it, it will be the end of his administration”.

Briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, over the matter, the Commissioner for Information and Srategy, Dr. ACB Agbazuere said the statements are treasonable as they, connote that the former governor has concluded plans to wage a war against the State, adding that the provisions of the Nigeria criminal code are very clear on such violation.

The Commissioner said he hopes the former Governor understands the implication of his statements as nobody is above the law, pointing out that the former governor is gradually working himself into prison.

While urging Chief Kalu to think before talking, the Commissioner reminded him that even past Presidents have gone to prison and condemned the reckless and unpatriotic utterances by the former Abia Governor.

According to him, while Orji Uzor was Governor, he never wished anyone to distract or pull his Government down and warned detractors not to take the simplicity of the incumbent Governor, Chief Theodore Orji for granted.
He used the forum to caution politicians in the state including the governorship candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chikwe Udensi against making unguarded and reckless statements against the State or person of the Governor, warning that government will not tolerate further hounding of the State Government from any quarter.

Orji Uzor Kalu and his many faces of lies and deceits
Couple of months ago, the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu made a public declaration through his SUN Newspaper that he is back to PDP and that he never belonged to PPA. He went as far as lying before the people that his PPA Senatorial form was purchased and filled by one of his aides who he demanded to make a public apology for getting a form for him without his consent.
For some of us who are familiar with his tricks and deceptions, knowing his criminal activities in the past and present, we concluded that OUK is applying his usual Gamji way of life in an era of political sanity in Abia State.
Nevertheless, a man who cannot change will never change and thank God the PDP leadership at the National level and President Goodluck Jonathan accepted the rejection of the chameleon by Abians facilitated by Abia PDP stakeholders and other well meaning Abians.
However, it is now made open to the General Public that the Man who castigated the leadership of the PDP in Abia State for letting the world know that one person cannot belong to two different political parties at the same time. Especially into a strong a Party that won all the elections in Abia State in 2011 without a mediocre going about with a virus with intention to destroy that which he couldn't build.
Now it is officially official that Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) is the Abia North Senatorial Candidate for the PPA, the Party he founded and funded. As usual, he sneaked into his Igbere Country Home few days ago to begin his campaign for the Senate.
Interestingly, he is a candidate that saw a big disgraceful defeat in 2011 when he contested for Senate under his PPA Platform and in 2015, my very good friend and a credible candidate from Arochukwu, Mazi Mao Ohuabunwa, the PDP Senatorial Candidate for Abia North will finally facilitate his final political burial.
Orji Uzor Kalu must be in another world if he ever think that Abians that rejected him and his mother wouldn't reject him again. Nonetheless, the people of Abia North especially the great people of Abiriba that he caused so much pains upon by destroying their beautiful community are fortunately alive to pay him back once.
We will all live to celebrate yet another political defeat of a man who ruled a State without a single visible project but left Abia indebted to different financial houses and to the people.
Nnaji writes from Umuahia

Breaking News! Abia Council of Traditional Rulers distanced themselves from Eze Ikonne's title conferment on Buhari.


The Abia council of traditional rulers had distanced themselves from Eze Ikonne for giving Gen. Buhari the title of Ogbuagu 1, in a statement by the Chairman of Abia Council of Traditional Rulers speaking on behalf of other Ezes, Eze Eberechi Dick said that Chieftaincy titles are given to deserving people who contributed to the growth and wellbeing of the Igbo nation and not to those who only remember the Igbos during electioneering periods.

They argued that In 1996, Aba Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) under Dr Chukwuemeka Okolo invited Gen. Buhari in his capacity as the chairman of petroleum trust fund (PTF) to come and save Aba from the terrible state it was, he refused to come or even send a representative he also declined the honour of an award ceremony which was added to the event to make him come to the rescue of Aba using his office as PTF chairman, and this was happening at a period when Aba was in a disaster state and Ama Ikonne and the entire faulks road was rendered impassable as a result of heavy flooding in front of the palace of Eze Ikonne, as at the time this was happening it was extremely difficult to access Ariaria from faulks Road.
The Ezes led by the Chairman of Abia traditional rulers council said they wonder why such a man who had shown little or no regard to the Igbo nation should be given a chieftaincy title in Igbo land they also said the chieftaincy title given to Buhari has nothing to do with Abia council of traditional rulers and that very soon the council of traditional rulers will pronounce adequate sanction for Eze Ikonne for going against the wish of the Abia council of traditional rulers and Ndi Igbo in general, according to them Buhari had always stood against the wish and interest of the Igbo man and had always segregated against the Igbo nation and at such does not deserve to be honoured in Igbo land.

Pray for 2015 Elections, Orji Urges Nigerians


Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has called on the people of the state and Nigerians to pray for the success of 2015 elections, even as he thanked them for the support given his government.

Orji, in his Christmas message to Abia people, also urged them to use the period to show love, peace, gratitude and hope to one another.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ajunwa, the governor said: "We are grateful for the divine assignment that God gave to us about seven and half years ago to make Abia one of the progressive states in our nation.

"We are grateful for your support and we thank God that we have another Christmas to celebrate in peace and prosperity.

"Christmas provides that opportunity to relax and reflect on the values taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, which every of his creature is admonished to imbibe."

He tasked Nigerians to take the advantage of the Christmas celebration to commit 2015 elections into the hands of God to ensure that it is peaceful, saying "Nigerians must show love for our country as we look forward to the 2015 elections by asking God to guide us.

"God hears prayers always and there is no better time than now to cry to him and ask for guidance for the forthcoming elections.

"As we look to the New Year, let us pledge ourselves to living out those values by reaching out and lifting up those in our communities who look to us for a raise."

Rev. Ndukwe Oka’s Gabbage Against Orji Is Fictitious


Clerics are not known as troublemakers, but peacemakers. The latter is not the attribute of one Rev. Ndukwe Oka who has recently published garbage against Governor Theodore Orji government and called it critique.


I want to believe that this Reverend is fictitious, because in the cause of research for this article, he had no pedigree. The Facebook account that was directed to him is mal-functional. If not for the reason that the article he wrote in a certain media outfit was full of misleading tips, the pseudo-Reverend would not have deserved this response.

He wrote that Abia State is experiencing high level of decay under the administration of the cheerful Governor Orji and, one asks which Abia State Oka was writing about. It is believed that this Oka is among the many people who have lost contact with their roots overseas and on returning to the country, as he posited in his article, he can no longer differentiate between his maternal home and his paternal home.

And if we hear that he is living in the United States, then we should hide for him to pass on the road? I have not read lies and lies anywhere in the world till I read the story of this liar-cleric who is better called a sycophant.

Oka boasted that he was in Nigeria for four weeks and was aghast of who knows what he was writing about. The truth is that the primaries of the PDP in the state that the reverend was writing about was the fairest and was not manipulated by anybody or group.

It was obvious that this reverend had political bias and since his group did not win he is hiding under the cover of the church to slender Governor Orji, but he will not succeed. It could be that it was the reverend that even rigged the figures that other contestants with Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu had.

I don’t want to say that that this reverend was meandering, looking for political opportunities instead of concentrating on his mission as a cleric. I do not want to say that he is a charlatan who is also a loafer.

While others of his ilk make peace, this goon was writing thus: “What has PDP done for the Igbo man? I can’t see. Is it the state of roads linking all South-east states, or what? Let them show us the things they have done.

“I see a grand plan to manipu­late the forthcoming elections. It would be tragic. Let Abia resonate with chants of Eny­imba enyi. The people should not brook rigging. They should vote, and protect their votes. They should follow the ballots to the collation centres, so that their votes may count.”

Did you read the outburst of the renegade-cleric calling for troubles and wars in Abia State? He wrote about how certain white people have fled his father’s house located at Clifford area of Aba (without street number).

The truth could be that the cleric had no money to renovate his father’s house to meet the dictates of modern times, hence the occupants left, and he is today arrogating his blame to all powerful and working government in Umuahia.

If not for the wretched lifestyle that he is living, he would have known that many people and companies still operate the streets and avenues of the Clifford area of Aba without hitches. The reverend has shown how a failed person bickers and tinkers.

I found it repulsive responding to the chatter of this cleric, because he was irrational with his comment: he was praising a former governor of the state and at the same time lampooning the present one and at the same time writing that those who praise the numerous works of Governor Orji have been paid money to do so.

The question is how much was this charge-and-bail cleric paid to debase the government of Governor Orji for the exaltation of the preceding government? I want to say that Governor Orji without any form of bias has been making progress on the side of the people contrary to the misleading voice of the cleric.

I want to state emphatically that the government of Governor Orji is better calculated than others in protecting individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights and, at the same time, better guarded against corruption. Governor Orji whom power is entrusted in his hand in Abia State, has never in time perverted it into tyranny. He has been promoting the people’s happiness, which has become expedient for the public at large.

Orji’s Detractors Should Bury Their Heads In Shame


Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State is a respecter of people in general, but chiefly the people of his state. He has not failed the people as against the aspersions of opposition politicians and hew writers who are looking for self-aggrandizement from the bright government of Governor Orji, but are using propaganda and blackmail against the cheerful government, to look for such.
Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and his Wife Lady Mercy Orji acknowledging greetings on their arrival to the venue of the celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the creation of Abia state at the Micheal Okpara auditorium in Umuahia.Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and his Wife Lady
Mercy Orji acknowledging greetings on their arrival to the venue of
the celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the creation of Abia state
at the Micheal Okpara auditorium in Umuahia.

These persons and groups have been doing everything in making sure that they lock the heads of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with that of Governor Orji. But Mr. President and the party know better that Governor Orji is carrying his fundamental roles as governor without any iota of partiality.

Nobody or group would come up with any substantial evidence that the governor did any wrong to him or her or it. But those who are seeking for self-recognition have been doing everything to sully the governor’s image, which they have not succeeded and will not succeed.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa would describe such persons and those in such groups as failed politicians, who want to pull the governor down to join their inglorious bandwagon. He would say that the PDP in Abia State and his boss would never fail as such persons and groups, because the former have respect for the people of Nigeria and, humanity at large.

Ajunwa said that part of the evidence of the brightly government of his boss was the peaceful primaries that the party conducted in the state, which was second to none. He believed that those bickering and tinkering were those who had mapped out ways to pull the state backwards but fortunately, Abia people spoke with their votes, which saw to the emergence of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as the gubernatorial flagbearer of the party in the state, come 2015.

It has become the occupation of those failed politicians and writers seeking for recognition to be using the matrix that the governor did not perform. The truth is that the governor has performed creditably well beyond his electioneering promises. It was palpable that the governor did not endorse any candidate within the period preceding the PDP’s primaries in the state or banqueted in any social or political gathering where imposition of any candidate was precedent.

The governor’s son whom these gangsters are always bringing up in the media is just a gentleman who is going about his private business and as an adult he has the right to choose what he wants or not in life. So, for any group and person to be saying that he had political aspiration, does not add up.

He has a right within the confines of the Constitution to make choices or not, even in politics. Therefore, anybody or group saying that he was to be imposed as Speaker Abia State House of Assembly was not being truthful. Nowhere such was discussed. Anybody with concrete evidence other than the fabrications of the opposition politicians and groups should come forward with such.

Again, Dr. Ikpeazu has no comparison as the people of Abia State love him and have been re-uniting and re-routing to collectively elect him as their governor come 2015 elections. It is the minute opposition politicians in the state that have been painting his image black. But in earnest, the people love him, because he has always been there for the people and has not disappointed them; a fact that Ajunwa said that the opposition politicians and groups are afraid of him, because of the landslide victory that Ikpeazu would poll in the 2015 general elections.

Ajunwa said that Ikpeazu has touched many lives positively, which gave him the sobriquet: Okezuo Abia. In the Governor Orji government he served, scholarships were given to potential Abia people to university level, the less-privileged were taken care of, the needy and poor were empowered, schools and churches, health care centres were built, transportation facilities were provided, roads and other infrastructural facilities to communities and educational institutions, and empowerment to humanity, were not in dearth.

These bring to unclothe the fact that the PDP has not failed Abia people in this present administration. Accusing Governor Orji that he was the one who made Ikpeazu to win in the primaries is not good. The governor is innocent of this type of cheap blackmail. However, it could be seen as jealousy from these failed politicians in the state. And they think that Abia people who elected Ikpeazu at the primaries were bereft of sound judgment and ideology? Ikpeazu remains the best. Anything contrary is sentimental and the PDP national working committee and Mr. President should not listen to such garbage that there was a candidate that was better off than Ikpeazu.

In Abia State, about 90 per cent of the people are on the side of the governor and his government, but opposition politicians and their faceless groups they create want what they tagged “Elder Statesmen” to be scolding the governor, when there is nothing the governor has done that should warrant him to be scolded. The people have been speaking up that the opposition politicians should leave the governor alone, because he is on the side of the people; but these failed politicians wanted the governor to be on their tiny side, so that they could pillage the collective wealth of Abia people; something that the governor said no, therefore the ‘bring him and kill’ movement started.

Ajunwa would say that it would have been so dangerous for Abia State if Governor Orji did not come in as governor to rescue the state from a certain ruinous political dynasty that was in progress of gulping the state. Ajunwa thanked his God that his boss has performed creditably well that has earned him a ticket from Abia people to represent them at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly. Ajunwa had therefore called on the national body of the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan not to listen to troublemakers in Abia State, as Governor Orji is committed to espousing due process, equity, fairness and rule of law in the state, according to the dictates of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Source:
Madubuko Hart
Hart writes from Lagos

Abia Commissioner blasts Uzor Kalu...Cautions him over utterances.

The Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Dr. ACB Agbazuere has cautioned former Abia Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu to show himself a little respect and stop exposing his greed and ignorance by , when Dr. Kalu was Governor he could not build a permanent Government House for Abians but Governor T.A. Orji is doing it.

The Information boss said Dr. Kalu left Abia workers in rented apartments, but Governor T.A. Orji’s has not only builtfor the worker’s but has relocated Abia workers to an ILO Compliant Ultra Modern Workers Secretariat.

He further revealed that Dr. Kalu could not build world class international conference centre in the State but Chief T.A. Orji has done it; just as he has relocated the 1970 built market at Umuahia to a 7000 shop International Market at Ubani Ibeku, built 5000 shop Timber Market, the Mechanic Village, an International Shopping Mall with Cinema almost completed, several Housing Estates, an elibrary, over 250 PHCs, 9 (100) bed hospitals, Modern Court Halls, Diagnostic, Dialysis and Eye Centres in the State, but these were impossibilities for Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

Dr. Agbazuere further disclosed that Golden Guinea Breweries went comatose during Orji Uzor Kalu’s tenure but Governor T.A. Orji is fixing it as the Brewery will commence operations in a matter of weeks.

The strategist reminded Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu that he may have been enjoying a free play but stated that this level of recklessness by Kalu cannot continue under his watch as Commissioner for Information.

According to Dr. Agbazuere, Orji Uzor Kalu is not the only Governor who handed over power to another Governor. The examples are legion but they are not harassing the incumbent Governors and urged Kalu to allow Abians to judge this administration adding that Kalu’s greed and envy must not foreclose his sense of reasoning.

He said Orji Uzor Kalu is envious of the unprecedented achievements and legacy projects of Chief T.A. Orji and equally unhappy that himself and his family members have been stopped from milking the State

ORJI UZOR KALU BEGS FOR FORGIVENESS FROM ABIANS.

Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has apologised to people of the state for choosing Governor Theodore Orji as his successor in 2007. He expressed regret over the choice and acknowledged that it is a monumental mistake.

Kalu worked with Governor Orji as his Chief of Staff for eight years, after which he anointed him to become his successor. He had worked hard for the victory of the governor, who was in detention during the campaigns and election in 2007.

In a letter to the people of Abia State, entitled: “Now is the time for Peace and Reconciliation”, Kalu urged them to put the mistake of his supporting Orji behind them, and face the future.

The former governor said the challenges ahead of Abia people are greater and mightier than those they had already overcome, saying that there is an urgent need to convene a mini-Summit mid-January 2015 to discuss the way forward for Abia.

He cautioned that people of the state cannot afford to fold their arms and watch mediocrities toy with their collective destiny.

His words: “One fact all of us should bear in mind is that our state has drifted dangerously in the past eight years. We may wake up one day and discover, to our chagrin, that our state has been mortgaged on the altar of greed and selfishness, unless we do something drastic now to avert it.

“No time is better than now for us to work together to reposition our state. We are blessed with rich human and material resources, yet our state is very backward in terms of infrastructural development.

“We did our best to develop Abia State between 1999 and 2007, in spite of the staggering problems we met. We thank God for the wisdom and strength he gratuitously bestowed on us, which saw us through.

“What we achieved might not be adequately appreciated today. I am confident posterity will judge us better”.

He said that coming together to discuss the way forward in Abia State will eliminate acrimony, which is brewing steadily among those who felt short changed in the just concluded primaries of different political parties, and produce suggestions that will promote peace, progress and development of Abia State.

On the forthcoming general elections, Kalu said that since there is a resolution to collectively throw support behind President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid, whatever is left of other political positions will be distributed in such a way as to promote equity and fair play.

He said that the survival and sustenance of the unity and progress of Abia people should not be decided by one man but through a collective decision and choice.

“The interest of our state is bigger than the interest of any one man. We must place our collective interest above our personal, parochial, and narrow interests. We cannot afford another round of lousy and clueless leadership characterised by egocentricity, arrogance and mindboggling malfeasance.

“We need a clean break from our past to chart a new course for the growth and development of a new Abia State.We must have made mistakes individually and corporately; it is now time to reconcile and move on. What is paramount is the new attitude we bring to the table. This new attitude should be built on mutual trust, respect for one another, love and reconciliation.

“I urge all of us to embrace the new wind of change blowing in our state. This is the only opportunity we have to right the wrongs of the past and build a new Abia State in which our millions of youths will be gainfully employed, in which peace and harmony will thrive, and in which the fear of God and love of neigbhour will flourish

The wife of Abia State Governor, Lady Mercy Orji has an open secret. It is her ability to win battles on her kneel. Adeola Akinremi writes
Eulogies poured for her. She smiled. But her lips did not move. It was almost impossible for her not to be puffed up with the torrents of accolades, but she resisted the air of self-importance and pomposity. She passed the message: pride goes before destruction.


The First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji is an unusual woman, whose passion for the weak and the poor truly sets her apart from the others in her ilk across the country. Yes, many other first ladies are into charity. But not the kind of cause that Lady Orji is known to address.


Orji’s rare kind of charity is to the outcasts. That makes her a super philanthropist. But not only that, her style of winning battles on her kneel in a time of scornful politics is an incredible tale of a woman with all the might who shy away from using might.
On Thursday, November 27, when the pages of her life were opened in a new book titled, From Prayer to Praise, not a few who gathered to celebrate Lady Orji acknowledged her role in the transformation of Abia State through the soft power of prayer and succour to the needy. Really, all through the turbulent time that the state went through before and when her husband, Governor Theodore Orji was elected, Mrs. Orji’s life has been a study.


For instance, one of those who spoke at the occasion said, “I can remember that time when she was going round with other prayer leaders in the night to hold vigil for the spiritual sanitisation of Abia State.”


And in a rare kind of event where both the privileged and less-privileged converged on Michael Okpara auditorium within the precinct of the government house to identify with a woman they all call ‘Osinulo’, a blind man, supported by his wife simply stepped forward, grabbed the microphone and said, “I want to thank you for building a house for me and supporting me with funds, when everyone rejected me, including my family. I am supporting this book with the sum of N1,550.”


The audience chimed in with a loud shout of Mrs. Orji’s sobriquet (Osinulo) and it was followed by a thundering applause. Expectedly, tears welled up in her eyes from where she seated and she tried to force it back with the handkerchief in her hand.
But it was fate and nothing else that prepared Lady Orji early in life for such a task. For a woman who lost her parents at a tender age, taking solace in God for the journey ahead was important. “When you have God on your side, victory is always yours, and that was what happened to me,” she said.


To be sure, when her husband, Governor Orji, was incarcerated as a political prisoner on the eve of his election in 2007, Mrs. Orji didn’t look elsewhere for support; she turned to God in prayers.


“As a woman, neck-deep in family tradition of following after God, she exhibited an uncommon submission to God in Prayer. Prayer became her key to living courageously in this fearful world, using same to confront the forces of evil at her doorstep, while her husband was incarcerated miles away and for many months. On that threshold, God gave her the means to fight, not merely to defend her family but to march, all powers that stood against her efforts to serve God. Mercy became a prayer warrior…prayer became an indispensable ingredient in challenging the strongholds of evil machinations. It became the step forward against the gates of hell,” read a part of the biography.


That wasn’t the first time. She had overcome many battles for herself and others on her kneel years before she became a first lady. She said: “I feel overwhelmed and happy at the launching of this book. I don’t even know anything about the process until they came and tell me. So I give God the praise.


“This prayer to praise did not even start today as a wife of the governor. It started way back. I used to be a volunteer in a group and we used to go from one hospital to another going to look for the sick, giving them succour. So it didn’t start today. It has been part of my life to pray and give to the less- privilege.


“And when I became the first lady, I said to myself what can I do with this office and the only thing that came to my mind was to press on with support to the poor and the neglected of our society. God purposely gave us this seat for us to help the less-privilege, pray for a change in our society and promote love among mankind.”


For a woman who spent time studying the life of Winnie Madkizela Mandela who fought alongside her husband, Nelson Mandela, during the apartheid era in South Africa and the life of Coretta Scott King, the wife of the slain African-American civil rights leader, Reverend Martin Luther King Jnr, it was not difficult to understand how she coped when her husband was taken away from her for months by the security operatives.


“My message to fellow women is that they should be prayerful, organise their homes, and help their husbands, especially those in authorities. A wise woman builds, but a foolish woman scatters. If you cannot organise your home, you can’t organise the state and that was the situation before we came. Today, we give praise to God for the change that has taken place,” she said.


Interestingly, Mrs. Orji whose quiet nature and prayer virtue makes her a model to every woman didn’t jump at the opportunity of becoming a first lady, when her husband first mooted the idea of running for the office of a governor. It was her relationship with God that gave her the confidence to say yes to her husband after she had meditated on it.


“Initially, she was unhappy as it did not tally with her wishes and aspirations. She was reluctant and afraid of venturing into the murky waters of the nation’s political game, because politics is characterised with violence, manipulations, intimidation, blackmail, backbiting, campaigns of calumny and other negative tendencies. She overcame her fears and started coping with the demands of a wife of politician. She drew courage and confidence from God and the fact that Chief Theodore Orji, is not just a husband, but a trustworthy and dependable friend and ally,” another part of the biography reads.


One of the authors of Prayer to Praise, a sixteen chapter book on the life of Lady Orji, Mrs. Nnezi Onuoha, a former Director, Television Service at Broadcasting Corporation of Abia and current Special Adviser(Media) to Mrs. Orji, said, “We decided to write the book she’s a woman who has done quite a lot for humanity with humility. If the stories are not compressed into a book, posterity will not smile on us. These are true life stories that time and speed did not permit us to capture in detail.
“Lady Mercy Odochi Orji has a sort of humility and kindness that is second to none. At times she does things that make people around her burst into tears. I can say that she’s just exceptionally kind and loving.”


True, Hannah-May Foundation that Orji founded has become a bulwark for most Abians who continue to turn to her for care. And now, Orji’s prayers have turned to praise in the twilight of her husband’s administration as the governor of Abia State.
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Abia Govt Pledges Support For NYSC Members
Nigeria

Abia State government says it is committed to the security and welfare of National Youth Service corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state.

IMG_6240Governor Theodore Orji stated this at the Government House, Umuahia, when he received in audience the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC), Brig-Gen Johnson Bamidele Olawumi, who paid him a courtesy visit.

According to Governor Orji, corpers’ safety is a priority of the state government, adding that the government is doing everything possible to make the NYSC camp at Umunnato in Bende Local Government Area conducive for the corps members.
To that end, he said that extra buildings were constructed at the camp to accommodate more corpers being deployed to the state.

The Governor stated that the government has been up and doing in the area of accommodation, mobility and logistics and assured the NYSC Director-General of the continued cooperation of the state government.
Governor Orji said that the NYSC in Abia State has done well while the state government has partnered well with the scheme.

He congratulated the new DG of the NYSC on his appointment and expressed confidence that he will do well.
Earlier in his speech, Brig-Gen Olawumi thanked the Governor for the assistance the scheme is getting in the state to make the camp conducive for corps members and ensure the safety of corpers.

He said that he was in the state for the swearing-in of Stream 2 of Batch C corps members deployed to the state and assured the Governor of the continued partnership of NYSC with the state in areas requiring the skills of corps members to foster development in the state

Orji denies imposition of candidates for 2015 polls

ELECTIVE office aspirants in the 2015 polls in Abia State have been advised not to blame Governor Theodore Orji if they fail to clinch their desired positions , but to understand that in any contest , there must be winners and losers.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary Mr Charles Ajunwa, specially debunked the reported allegation by the State former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu that his successor Theodore Orji had unilaterally imposed all the PDP candidates for various elective positions in the 2015 elections in Abia State He further described the allegation as “spurious and the ranting of a drowning man.”

Kalu recently reportedly withdrew his senatorial ambition .

According to Ajunwa, “Kalu knows vey well that even if he contests election today, he cannot win election in the state again because he is a liability. He should therefore stop deceiving himself as being a member of PDP which he is not.”

On another allegation credited to the ex governor that Orji tricked some prominent Abians to resign their plum positions to contest for the governorship race when he (Orji ) had pre anointed candidates, Ajunwa said that TA Orji holds that “everyone has the right to aspire for any position of one’s choice hence Governor TA Orji lacks the constitutional powers to prevent one from testing one’s popularity in an open contest.

“Resignation by one from public office is part of the requirements for political office seekers, hence, it will be wrong for anyone to blame the governor for an action one deliberately took in conformity with the electoral laws.

Governor TA Orji did not anoint or impose any candidate. He strongly believes that PDP governorship candidate will emerge from credibly conducted primaries in line with the party’s resolved position that Abia South senatorial zone should be allowed to produce the next governor in the spirit of fairness and equity” , Ajunwa stressed.

Re: Abia PDP Appeal Panel disqualifies Orji’s son, Others

Our attention has been drawn to the malicious and false publication by THISDAY online of November 26, 2014, to the effect of Abia PDP Appeal Panel disqualifying Orji’s Son wherein it asserted partly that: “The alleged scheming by Governor Theodore Orji to foist his son, Chinedu, as a member, and possibly Speaker, of Abia State House of Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may have hit the rocks following the disqualification of the aspirant (Chinedu) by the party’s assembly screening appeal panel.

“The panel, which recommended the disqualification of the governor’s son, comprised Augustus Mbanali (Chairman), Emmanuel Ogunsalu (member) and Emeka Odenigwe (member/secretary).

“Among the reasons for the disqualification of Orji junior who is gunning for Umuahia central state constituency, was the allegation of being a member of a secret society, the Confraternity.

“A confessed member of the society in Umuahia had identified Chinedu as not only a fellow member, but actually the Capo (Head) of the cult.”

That is not only false but also embarrassing and offensive as the totality of this publication is also diversionary and made in bad faith.

The said offensive publication is hereby refuted as not only being offensive but also defamatory in nature, false, mischievous and devoid of any shred of proof and maliciously made by the reporter in a bid to assail the hard earned integrity of Engr. Chinedum Orji.

It is on record that Engr. Chinedum Orji is not, and has not been a member of a secret cult as alleged in the said publication.

It is also on record that Engr. Chinedum Orji in a show of humility and compliance with the PDP rules and regulations presented himself for screening at the Finbarrs Road party secretariat on the 6th and 7th November 2014, wherein he was vetted and screened and consequently was issued a provincial clearance certification dated 7th November 2014 with serial number: 0000027 and Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji boldly written on it.

And there has never been any indictment or petition against his candidacy for any appeal panel to look into and hence there was no disqualification whatsoever. That one begins to imagine the source of the said publication which is at best the figment of the imagination of the reporter which is highly defamatory, maliciously made to injure the credit, character, reputation of Engr. Chinedum Orji to public shame, ridicule, odium and contempt for which it’s demanded that the said false and defamatory publication be retracted forthwith with apology as there must be a limit within the law of freedom of the press not when it’s as instant case, scandalous, embarrassing and defamatory.

Signed:

Charles Ajunwa
Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor

Orji Kalu Withdraws From Senatorial Race, Demands Refund Of Nomination Fees


Former Abia state Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has withdrawn his senatorial ambition for Abia North senatorial district under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that Governor Theodore Orji has concluded plans to impose aspirants on members of the party in the state.

Kalu, in a letter to the PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, dated November 24, accused his successor and incumbent governor of making some influential members of the party to resign their juicy positions to contest positions under the PDP whereas the governor already had aspirants he handpicked for the PDP ticket.

The former governor however requested a refund of his nomination and expression of interest forms, noting that contrary to earlier arrangements he never went through any of the stipulated processes that leads to the emergence of candidate.

Senatorial aspirants in the PDP paid N5.5million for the purchase of the funds. The letter reads in part “ It became apparent that the Abia state governor, Chief T.A Orji wants to handpick all candidates, both into executive and legislative position. He wants to choose his own successor, fill the 24 House of Assembly seats, the eight federal constituencies and the three senatorial seats.

“Governor Orji knew ahead of time that he had a candidate in mind but deliberately allowed eminent Abia citizens like Dr. Alex Otti, GMD of Diamond Bank to resign from his lofty position when he should have advised him to remain there.

“He also allowed Chief Emeka Wogu, minister of labour to resign and lose Abia slot in the Federal Executive Council and other ministerial committees; he equally allowed two Senators: Nkechi Nwogu and Enyinnaya Abaribe to pick gubernatorial forms when he should have advised them to go for re-election in the Senate.”

“I find all these very disturbing. When Governor Orji was to be elected the first time in 2007, everyone knew where I stood three years before then that he was my anointed candidate. There was absolutely no ambiguity unlike now that he has allowed these people to lose their positions and resources chasing shadows. It is quite obvious that Governor Orji’s plan is to bring everybody down.”

Orji congratulates Enyimba for winning FA Cup


Governor Theodore Orji has congratulated Enyimba Football Club of Aba for defeating Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt 2-1 in this year’s Federation Cup finals played on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, Orji who thanked the Aba-based team for winning the FA cup back-to-back, said he was proud of the boys and their management team for giving him and the people of the state something to cherish after they finished second in the Glo Premier League.

Orji said Abia based football clubs had continued to make waves in the field of soccer, and restated his commitment to funding the clubs for more laurels.

He also thanked the Enyimba’s supporters for their continued support to the team adding that their presence at the stadium spurred the people’s elephant to win the coveted trophy.

The Governor, who attributed Enyimba’s victory over Dolphins FC to their discipline and tactical approach to the match, said his government would continue to invest in sports development in the state.

My Experience, My #TAOrjiFeedback

By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, +234 (0) 8151917762

It is no longer news in the cyber blog-space that a group of Nigerian Bloggers and social media influencers had travelled to the much vilified Abia state to see things first-hand for themselves of how Abia state has not been working but what may be the true news is the 'disappointing' reports that would be emanating from these group of Bloggers from across interest divides.

So many things has been said about Abia state, so many stories has been told and so many lies has been said that several a time that most genuine readers have developed biased into believing these half-truths, vindicating the long held belief of the Igbos of 'Ihe Ojoo gbaa afor, oburu omenala' meaning that when a lie is told for some time unchallenged, it will be mistaken as truths and even be seen as the real truths.

Since I was born into this planet earth, I have never seen a governor most abused as the present governor of Abia state, I have never seen a sitting governor most lied about as governor T. A. Orji, to my ulter pain, I have never seen a man so vilified even while on the seat of power, but as I learnt, these things were happening not just because he is a weak man but simply because he is a man of the old generation with integrity and honesty who would always look up to time and posterity for judgements and vindication. Honestly, I feels terrible for this man.

As Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, I felt terribly bad by the fact of how these people tend to blindly brandishing Abia state they knew nothing about. It is now a known fact that everyone in Nigeria knows Abia state even more than the people on ground; when you come across them, they would either lie to you that they just touched down Abia state or they are having their relatives there; now, Abia state has become a franchise of sort that even the ignorant of the most ignominious in the far away North of the country, Lagos-based or Abuja facebook politicians paints the picture of Abia state nay Aba from the cosy comforts of their homes. It was even more laughable when we touched down Aba, one of the facebook omnipresent argued that we were not in Aba simply because the Aba in his mental psych and as always been talked about was not what he was seeing on ground- that's how naive these guys can get; I will revisit my Aba experience much later, though.

I am simply amazed by the way and manner in which those who knew nothing about Aba could be challenging those who are even on ground of the true state of the area- that was the ridiculous echelon it got to.

Worried by the unrelenting attacks and brandishing of falsehoods against the government of Abia state and the person of the governor, I seized the opportunity when called upon to be one of the Nigerian Bloggers to tour Abia on a fact finding mission. Though I have always known that the 'mob lynchers' has always been mischievous with their mischief.

And I obliged the Abia state government, I went to Abia state, I saw things and came back with my findings but things were not the same again; the 'mob lynchers ' redoubled their momentum and went on the prowl- this time on a different mission; to stop who ever that went to Abia state from saying what they saw, to perpetually shut them down and deliberately cow them to mute. Ever since my return from Abia state on this fact-finding mission; it has always been one form of threats to the other coming from those who are unhappy that the festivals of progressiveness in error and half-truths will ultimately be put to a stop by our different reports. Others were not left out- they have tried so strenuously but in vain to blackmail us to silence.

Some of the lily-livered among us has been cowed by this rampaging lynching mob to self pity- they have been rudely blackmailed to keep quiet in order not to be thoroughly 'lyched'. But Ambrose, the descendant of the Great Ogwugwu can NEVER be intimidated into silence, I can not be blackmailed to keep mute from saying what I saw in Abia state, no matter the threats from speaking out; I must state the true states of Abia state and Aba, the commercial city.

My Journey To Abia:
My journey to Abia state saw me to Umuahia, the capital city of Abia state, my first point of call, the very first day. Upon my arrival, I checked into my hotel and got up the next day to start the main business of my visit: that very morning after our breakfast, we were driven to Emeka Omeruo government guest house where we picked some of our colleagues and the business of the day started properly.

First Day:

No one informed us of where we were going to as we were driven to our first point of call which was later learnt to be known as the Abia Dialysis Centre at the Umuahia Specialist hospital. As I discovered, there was an existing specialist hospital there before; Ochendo only renovated and equipped it with state of the arts hospital equipments and built a brand new ultra-modern Dialysis centre. I saw a power house with a 500 Kva generating set for alternative power supply and two functional ambulances. We went into the hospital and saw patients receiving treatments with these modern equipments.

We left the Dialysis centre and proceeded to our buses and was driven to a site- housing several one-storey buildings. Some completed, some still at the deck level and some were at roofing levels. Our tour guard said it was Ohurube Housing estate undertaken by the Governor Theodore Orji government as part of his administration housing schemes.

We also left the housing estate site and proceeded to the Timber Industrial market also known as Azukeke Ibeku Industrial market built, completed and commissioned by Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji. Meanwhile as we were told, the Ohurube Housing estate site was hitherto a place where all manner of people used to trade, most especially, the Timber traders and as the government's plans of urban decongestion and renewal initiative, the government relocated them to this Timber Industrial market at Azukeke Ibeku. The industrial market is exactly like the Naze Industrial market, Owerri built by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo state (for those of you who know Owerri) the same thing took place- they were sent out from the city and was successfully relocated to an outskirts of the city for conducive conduction of businesses. All the necessary amenities were seen like access roads, water, electricity, bank, fire service etc. I interviewed some of the marketers; they were happy about their plights on the new industrial market but complained bitterly about irregular power (electricity) supply.

Still on this first day of our project tour, we were also taken to another site after we left the Industrial market. This time around, we were taken to a very large one storey building; known as the permanent head office of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) built, completed and commissioned by Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji. Which is located at the Ogurube layout: the New city that is going to house the New Abia state.

As we left from ASEPA house, we were taken to a new architectural masterpiece, a gigantic new government house that is akin to any world renowned five star hotel; in my layman's rating, the project which is still seriously ongoing is about 65% completed.
As we got out from the new government house, we drove to a new mighty and world class international conference centre. This particular project is almost completed and I can rate it as 88% completed.
Still on this very first day of our project touring, we were taken to twin larger buildings- Two separate state secretariat. One was done by the federal government during the military regime and was given to the state government. Ochendo only renovated it to ultra-modern status and built a brand new four storey state secretariat with lifting machines. They are completed and commissioned and already in use.

From the state's new secretariat, we moved to JAAC house, Joint Account Allocation committee complex office that is like the state new secretariat. The JAAC house is also a four storey building and more than 75% completed.

At about this time on that very first day, we were almost exhausted and were pleading to go back to our hotel rooms and continue the next day but the government functionaries that were leading us rebuffed our pleas and boasted that we "ain't seen nothing yet", that we have not even started with the projects of Ochendo.
The former commissioner for information and strategy, Mr. Eze Chikananyo, a very smart man also boasted it will take us more than a whole week to exhaust all the projects of Ochendo Global as some of those who came with the mindset that Abia state was in state of comatose and administrative coma were utterly disappointed by this time.

As our entreaties failed; we drove down to an outskirt of where we have been and was taken to Abia state Ultra modern skill acquisition centre built by her excellency to support her husband's youths empowerment drive. This is a centre where Abia youths are trained for different skills for free, during their training, each of them are paid a monthly stipend of N10,000 and after graduation, they are given the equipment and machines to start what they learned and also given an interest free grant worth up to N30,000. These skill acquisition centres are replicated like this in Aba and Ohafia. Making it three in total in Abia state.

From there, we were driven to another ultra-modern edifice. The new Abia E-librarry. A one-storey building; It was stocked with state of the art equipments for digital library.

Like as if they were punishing us, they dragged us to the New BCA office complex which was built, completed and commissioned by Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji. It's already in use.

From there, we proceeded to Umuahia High court complex. It is three in the state viz: one at Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia. The one at Umuahia is about 98% completed so is the other ones.

And from the high court premises, we drove straight to a primary school block which is a prototype of the Ochendo modern school blocks. (Sorry I couldn't take note of the name of the place because at this time, almost every one was murmuring to go back to the hotel. Lol.) they are 70 of them in number as scattered across the 17 local government areas of the state, we were told, fully completed and already in use.

And from there, we called it a day for that very day.

Second day:

On this second day, the project tour continues: we went to Umuahia event centre which was very much ongoing. It is situated at the heart of Umuahia city. Roundly fenced with the capacity to contain more than 8000 vehicles and at a layman's estimate; it was roughly 55% completed.

From there we moved to Abia shopping mall which some people do call 'shoprite'. It was about 70% completed.

On this second day, we couldn't do much project tour as we moved outskirt of Umuahia as we transversed through Ikwuano, Isukwuato and all the rest.

From the shopping mall, we travelled to Ubani ultra-modern market that has about 10,000 stalls, some warehouses and all the amenities like fire service, good access roads, banks, motor parks, water etc.

As we moved from there, we were driven to Ubani market estate that was specifically built for the marketers/traders. It is almost the same amount of the stalls and nearing completion. Some completed and some still ongoing; It's roughly 75% completed.

From the Ubani market and estate, we travelled to Isukwuato, we saw many primary schools, those hospitals and all that and with a specific mention to Ovim Technical school that was built, completed and commissioned by the governor.

We moved further from there to the helipad built by Ochendo on the mountain where helicopters that was used to flush out criminals were leading. It was one of the schemes that attributed the success stories of the restoration of security to Abia state. They are actually two of them, one there and another at Aba.
NB: as we travelled round the state; we were seeing these modern school blocks and the 100 bed specialist hospitals.
As we were coming back, we took a selfie at the National war mesuem where we 'lazied' about and retired for that day.

At the National War Mesuem, disturbing war memories were rekindled as we saw all the warfare used in prosecuting the Nigeria/Biafra war.

For most of us that were born by then, it brought back painful memories of that genocide and for most of us that weren't born by then like me in particular, it brought out all I have read and told about the ethnic cleansing and it felt like my mentor, Prof. Chinua Achebe, was narrating it to me in real life again as he did in "There was a country". That day was truly something I can't just explain now. We took photographs and that was the day we took our first group photograph.

I went into the famous Ojukwu Bunker, passed through the underground hideouts, saw the Biafran transmitter for radio Biafra and took memorable shots with different warfare.

From the National war mesuem, we went back to our hotel rooms.

As we were coming back, something dramatic was happening as some people were already alleging that we were taken to the National war mesuem to escape going to this 'troublesome' Aba 'state' because our project tour was officially supposed to finish on this second day; but I argued not ; why would they?

Third Day:
This third day was supposed to be a no-hold barred interactive session with the Governor but because we couldn't finish the projects, some part of the third day was used for project tour and on this day again, we continued touring projects.

As we continued the tour in ernest ; our first point of call for the day was Amachara. Here, we saw Amachara specialist hospital as reconstructed by the state government. We also saw a brand new 100 bed capacity specialist hospital, a chest clinic with state of the art equipments (where TB patients are treated for free) the chest clinic as I learnt was attracted by the government and built by a petroleum company.

We moved down to the other side and we saw two one storey buildings which we learnt was doctor's residence for those doing their residency.(abeg,forgive my 'naiveness') they are two; one for male doctors and the other for female doctors.

We moved from there and went to Abia bus terminal newly built by the state government along Umuahia/Enugu express road.

We went to the new mechanic village where all the mechanics in Umuahia were successful relocated to; every other amenities were in place courtesy of Ochendo global.

And then, we made our triumphant entry into this 'troublesome' Aba:

Welcome to Aba 'state'?

Is Aba really a state? Definitely no but the rate at which the traducers and opponents of Ochendo has painted it to be, onlookers may be of the view that Aba is the capital of Umuahia.

Like I have always argued, Aba is just another segment of a state like every other segments of any state, being a commercial city though is not withstanding of the attention it should be getting though but I can swear with the Gods of my forefathers that Aba is not as bad as been painted by ignorants.

I call them ignorants because their claims are all borne of out of pure mischief.

As we entered Aba, we followed through the Oruruka road which we plied for more than 30mins with not hold-up and some amounts of speeding, the road was in good standard conditions but guess what? It was constructed by Ochendo! The road was too lengthy that we rode on it for more than 30mins. The road is with underground drainage, no single pothole on it and it is in Aba 'state'.

From there we passed through New Umuahia road still in Aba 'state' to St. Michaels road, from St. Michaels road, we transversed through Azikiwe road to Ogbor-hill road, from Ogbor-hill, we passed through Asa road to Obikabia road to Abayi road to Aba-Owerri road to Osisioma road.

All these roads were seen in Aba 'state' and were all in good conditions, except the ending of Osisioma road joining the Enugu-Port-harcourt express way that was in bad condition. All other roads I and other bloggers saw were all in good conditions.

Another melodrama happened at Aba while we stopped at a point, doubters and those who came with the programmed hearts that Aba 'state' was in shambles began to question if we were truly in Aba 'state'? We have to jump out from our vehicles to look out for signposts and truly, we saw a signpost where Azikiwe road was written, to further confirm, we checked other ones and indeed, we were at Aba 'state'. As we were running our checks, most of us were waiting for the mobs at Aba 'state' to come and set us ablaze, that in fact, we would have been lynched at Aba 'state' by angry mobs who are not happy with the government of Ochendo because of 'perpetually' and 'deliberately' neglecting the 'state' At a point, Mr. Eze Chikananyo was telling us about those many lies about Aba, how they were untrue and truthfully, we confirmed it and he asked us if any one had harassed or questioned us knowing fully well that we came from the state government with government vehicles?; not even a single person raised an eyebrow from the resident talkless of 'lynching' us. There and then, those lies about Aba 'state' was put to a stop.

On a hilarious note, one of us came with the suggestion that this Aba we visited must have been photo-shoped and another quipped in that plausbly, there has been a magic of sort and after we must have left, the Aba we used to read on the social media will surface again. We made several jokes of it and and laughed like crazy. But you wouldn't blame the scepticism of these poor bloggers for a people that have been constantly fed with lies. Their scepticism about where we were was understandable.
Then we continued our tour:

As we were passing through, we were also seeing the modern school blocks, the ultra-modern motor park at Osisioma. 100 bed capacity specialist hospitals, Aba mall, high court complex, the skill acquisition centre etc were all in the much maligned Aba 'state'

As we finished with Aba 'state' as it was already late, we retired at Abia state government house where the governor received and interacted with us.

During the interactive session something remarkable happened; one of us who obviously came with the preoccupied mind of the state of Aba 'state' literally wept before the governor and asked for forgiveness from him for been among those who has been led astray about Abia state and understandably too, he spoke the minds of several innocent Nigerians. Then the atmosphere filled with emotions as murmuring took over the air with people disbanding their old beliefs of Aba 'state'.

Fourth Day:

Departure; we departed from Abia state and that was all with our project tour and assessment journey in Abia state.

This is my honest and sincere assessment of Abia state which I witnessed with my eyes. This is a first-hand experience and an eye witness account. Given that there might be some account which may differ from this one; it is expected as some preoccupied minds of hate and prejudice can't have the courage to own up to their mischief. Any account contrary to this would simply be because of ego and the shame to face the world.

Despite the lengthy nature of this report, it is not enough to relate my Abia state experience but as a matter of fact, I shall come with more accounts in my subsequent articles. This is just to intimate you with how our journey to Abia and our touring activities was all about.

This Truths must be told!

Orji's Legacies in Aba Are Not Hidden - - Mgbemena, SA Project Monitoring





SIR Pat Mgbemena has been the Special Adviser to Governor Theodore Orji on Project Monitoring and Implementation since the inception of the regime in 2007.

In this interview in Umuahia, Mgbemena responded to issues raised about the administration's achievements in Aba among other matters.

Governor Orji has been flayed by several persons including the traditional ruler of Eziama Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne, of doing nothing in Aba. What is your reaction?

Well, I am happy that you mentioned Eze Ikonne, let me start with Eze Ikonne. If you could remember when we came on board in 2007, Eze Ikonne was not living in his palace. Eze Ikonne relocated to another place because flood took over his palace, Faulks Road where his palace is located was impassable; there was almost a lake in front of the palace by the time we came on board.

The governor saw that as a slight on the government that such a paramount ruler would abandon his palace and run away because of flood, and he swung into action. Contract for the road was awarded and Faulks Road was rehabilitated which made Eze Ikonne to return to his palace. In fact I doubt if Eze Ikonne really said what he was reported to have said about this administration because he is a major beneficiary of this administration.

Beneficiary of administration

When his son was the commissioner of works, he reconstructed a lot of roads within Eze Ikonne's axis. Eze Ikonne cannot say that this administration has not done anything.

But it is not only Eze Ikonne, many others also say you have done nothing in Aba?

You know the issue of the problem of Aba has been there, remember that during Sam Mbakwe regime, the Aba problem was also a major issue. Because of Aba, Mbakwe was then nicknamed a weeping governor. Even other administrations after him, the issue of the problems of Aba kept reoccurring. So it did not start with Governor T. A. Orji and we have done a lot to tackle the problems of Aba, which are mostly roads and sanitation. There are three major problems militating against road construction in Aba. One is that the topography and soil texture of Aba are difficult, they are not the same thing with that of Umuahia, let me use that as an example. Aba is a table land; water does not flow out of the city whenever it rains. Again, the areas where water should flow out are blocked by buildings.

Apart from roads, what of the projects in the health sector 100-bed hospital nearing completion in Aba, Diagnostic Centre at ABSUTH, High Court complex, pedestrian bridge, among others, all in Aba. Other legacy project of this government are also scattered in Umuahia and other places. They are not hidden, they are there for everybody to see; they don't need to be advertised. Let those who are playing politics go and there and they will be ashamed of themselves.

Besides these projects, those talking about Aba, let them cast their minds back to three, four years back when some of them ran out of the city and abandoned their whatever they have their due to the menace of criminals, especially kidnapping. It was this same administration that rescued them and they returned back to their base. This Government spent and is still spending huge sum of money to fight and maintain crime free environment. The Government spent N1.2 billion to rehabilitate the Ohafia Barracks in a bid to enhance security in the state and we are happy that Abians are enjoying it. So this Government has done a lot. Those criticizing us are not sincere but are just playing politics.