TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abia State

  • How Methodist Prelate, Uche was released – Abia Gov, Ikpeazu

    The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has attributed the release of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche to the grace of God.

    He also attributed the release to the fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Ikpeazu made this known in a statement released by Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

    The statement reads: “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed delight at the release from kidnappers’ captivity of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. SCK Uche, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt Rev Okechukwu Michael and the Prelate’s Chaplain.

    “Governor Ikpeazu has spoken with the Prelate who is in high spirits. The Governor is grateful to God Almighty for His saving grace.

    “The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria is a son of Abia State. They were kidnapped on Sunday around the Nkwoagu – Leru axis in Umunneochi LGA, off the Enugu – PH Expressway.

    “The Governor attributed the release of these eminent men of God within 24 hours of their abduction to the grace of God, the fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.

    “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assures that security will be stepped up around the Isuikwuato – Umunneochi axis of the State where there has, in the recent past, been a spike in the activities of criminals.

    “The Governor stated that the location of the area around the state’s borders with 4 states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi makes it attractive to criminals who easily enter the State and also escape through any of these routes.

    “The Governor called for Inter State Collaboration with the neighboring states in securing those areas and stamp out the activities of criminals there”.

    Meanwhile, TNG reports the police in Abia, confirming the release of the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, as saying it was not clear if a ransom was paid or not.

    Police spokesman, SP Godfrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the release of the clergymen in Umuahia on Monday, made this known.

    The assailants kidnapped Uche alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the prelate’s chaplain and the driver at the Okigwe/Isuochi axis on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    The clergymen were heading to Owerri Airport en-route Lagos after a Sunday service, when they were attacked and taken away.

    The assailants had contacted relations of the victims, demanding a N100 million ransom.

    It was not clear whether the ransom was paid or not before they were set free.

    SP Ogbonna declined further comments on the development, but said: “all I can confirm to you now is that they have all been released.’’

    Also, the Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral, Umuahia, Very Rev. Aaron Akabuokwu, confirmed the cheering news to newsmen.

    “It is true that the evil men that laid their hands on the men of God have set them free to the glory of God.

    “Information reaching us is that the prelate, along with other victims, has been released.

    “I don’t have details for now on where and how they were released by the kidnappers,’’ he said.

  • BREAKING: Methodist Prelate, Uche released by kidnappers

    The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche has been released by his kidnappers.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Rt. Rev’d Dennis Okechukwu Mark, the Bishop of Owerri and the Prelate’s Chaplain, Very Rev’d Jeremiah Shittu, kidnapped along with the Methodist Prelate have been released also.

    This was confirmed by the Lay President of Methodist Church Nigeria, Sir Ifeanyi Okechukwu, who said they were released unhurt.

    “The Prelate is currently in a church giving praises to God,” Okechukwu said.

    Uche along with the two other clerics was kidnapped on Sunday afternoon on the Lokpa axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    The release has been confirmed as well by the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO in charge of Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Methodist Church Prelate, Uche, 2 others kidnapped in Abia

    Methodist Church Prelate, Uche, 2 others kidnapped in Abia

    The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche, was on Sunday, kidnapped along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia.

    He was kidnapped alongside Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri and the Prelate’s Chaplain, by yet to identified gunmen.

    Sources said the clergymen were kidnapped in the afternoon while they were on their way from a programme in the council area.

    The Police Public Relation Officer in Abia, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

    “It’s quite unfortunate. Efforts are on top gear toward his rescue as well as other priests with him.

    “We solicit credible information from the public toward their rescue, please,” he said.

  • Insecurity: Christian cleric, Samuel Kanu abducted in Abia state

    A Christian cleric, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria,His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche has been reportedly kidnapped when plying the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway,n Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers took him alongside Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri and the Prelate’s Chaplain.

    The clergymen were kidnapped in the afternoon while they were on their way from a programme in the council area.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident

    He mentioned that the police are working with other security agents to rescue the priest and others taken away with him.

    According to him, the police Command solicited credible information from the public toward their rescue.

  • Violence disrupts Abia North PDP Senatorial primary election

    Violence erupted midway into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ) primary election for Abia North Senatorial District on Tuesday, bringing the exercise to an abrupt end.

    The three-member ad hoc delegates election was organised at the Ohafia Local Government Headquarters, near 34 Army Brigade.

    The party had earlier concluded a rancour-free rescheduled House of Representatives primary election for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency under tight security.

    Barely one and half hours later, the primary election committee proceeded into the senatorial primary with the accreditation of delegates from Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi Local Government Areas that make up the district.

    The process began with Umunneochi delegates and was immediately followed by Isuikwuato delegates.

    However, trouble erupted midway into the process, over arguments surrounding alleged non qualification of some delegates from the area.

    The argument degenerated into a serious fight, in spite of the frantic efforts of the military personnel deployed to maintain the peace and security at the venue.

    The free-for-all that ensued and the firing of some shots into the air to restore nomalcy, caused stampede.

    Members of the election committee, officials of the INEC on hand to supervise the exercise as well as delegates, newsmen and observers at the venue scampered into safety.

    The scenario, however, turned more chaotic when security operatives began to chase everybody out of the premises with clubs, whips and rifles.

    The contest was between a former lawmaker, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, and the lawmaker representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Rep. Uko Nkole.

    While Ohuabunwa aspires to return for a second term in the Upper Chamber, Nkole, who is doing his second term, seeks to go to the Senate.

    The Police Spokesman in the state, SP Godfrey Ogbonna, said he travelled out of the state and was not aware of the incident.

    But his counterpart in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ndukwe Agu, said he heard about the development but declined further comments.

    According to Agu, the command has yet to receive a formal report of the incident from the Ohafia Division of the corps.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, has clinched the party’s ticket to run for a second term in the state assembly.

    He polled 36 votes to defeat his closest rival, Kelvin Jumbo, who scored 28 votes.

    The two other aspirants, Mr Samuel Anya, and the only female aspirant, Love Ezema, got three votes and nil, respectively.

  • PDP primaries: Gov Ikpeazu wins Senatorial ticket

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general election.

    Gov. Ikpeazu, the lone aspirant, emerged unopposed as the party’s candidate at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

    Chief Ndidi Okereke, the Returning Officer, while announcing the result, said 198 delegates were accredited for the exercise.

    Okereke said Ikpeazu polled a total of 198 votes and emerged unopposed as the winner of the primary election.

    Speaking after the exercise, Ikpeazu thanked the party leadership, and lauded the conduct of the election which he described as “clean and transparent”.

    He said he was poised to evolve programmes and policies that would change the fortunes of Abia South Senatorial District in the days ahead.

    Ikpeazu said he would deliver quality representation and protect the interest of the people, if he emerged winner at the 2023 senatorial election.

    “I want to thank the delegates from the six local government areas and dedicate this victory to our statutory delegates.

    “They have been excluded from today’s exercise not because of any wrong on their part but because of some laws that have not received assent from Mr President.

    “I am particularly interested in women, youths and the voiceless. I pray that Almighty God will through the instrumentality of the mandate you have given me, the power, strength, opportunity and privilege to serve Abia South people to the best of my ability,” he said.

    The exercise which started at 3:45 p.m. was peaceful and conducted under water-tight security, as 198 delegates from six local government areas in the senatorial district participated.

    The areas include Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

  • 2023: Abia Speaker wins PDP’s ticket for House of Reps

    2023: Abia Speaker wins PDP’s ticket for House of Reps

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday conducted primary elections to elect candidates for the House of Representatives and state assembly.

    The exercise, which took place under stiff security, was rancour-free in the areas monitored.

    It, however, took place several hours behind schedule in many centres.

    In Umuahia south, it was scheduled to begin by 9:00 am but could not start until about 2:45 pm.

    For Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Chinedum Orji, emerged as the winner.

    Orji pulled 86 votes to defeat five other contestants and his closest rival, Mr Obi Aguocha, scored eight votes.

    Chidebere Nwachukwu, John Nwadinobi, John Ndubuisi and Kelechi Onuzuruike pulled two, two, one and nil, respectively.

    The Election Committee Chairman, Mr Tony Mezie, said that 99 delegates took part in the exercise.

    For the house of assembly polls, a cleric, Mr Ugochukwu Uchegbu, won the ticket for Umuahia Central State Constituency.

    Uchegbu defeated eight other contestants in a three ad-hoc delegates per ward election that had 10 delegates.

    In a post-election speech, a visibly elated Uchegbu thanked God for his emergence and hailed the entire process as “peaceful and most transparent”.

    “This is just a step. It is a motivation. There is no vanquished.

    “My co-contestants have congratulated me and I urge them to support me as we move on,” he said.

    One of the contestants, Chief Jude Ndukwe, however, expressed concern over the party’s adoption of three ad-hoc delegates for the indirect primaries.

    Also, the lawmaker representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Chief Jerry Uzosike, clinched the ticket for his re-election bid.

    Uzosike described the outcome of the election as the voice of the people of Umuahia South.

    He said: “Umuahia South people through the votes have voted for good governance, good service and good representation.

    “I want to thank the youths, stakeholders and people of Umuahia for their support and God Almighty for this victory.

    “My constituents should expect more from me in the years ahead and I welcome my opponents to join me in building the constituency.”

    The Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Mr Humphrey Chukwudi, described the election as peaceful and transparent.

    The Youth Leader of Nsirimo Ward, Mr Malachy Nwagwu, said that the election played a vital role in ensuring that credible individuals were given an opportunity to run for political positions.

  • Kumuyi forced to cancel Aba crusade after IPOB’s warning

    Kumuyi forced to cancel Aba crusade after IPOB’s warning

    Pastor William Kumuyi, the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) has cancelled a global crusade scheduled to hold in Aba, Abia State between May 24 and 29.

    This was contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Chairman of the Aba Global Crusade, Pastor James Akpofure.

    “As there are currently some security challenges at the intended alpha location (Aba, Abia State, Nigeria), the Global Crusade Convener, Pastor (Dr) W.F. Kumuyi commiserates with our people in Abia State and will be praying along for God’s Divine Intervention,” the statement reads in part.

    Celebrating One Year of Global Evangelisation (Global Crusade with Kumuyi), Akpofure said Kumuyi would keep praying for God’s divine intervention in the insecurity bedevilling the South-East geopolitical zone.

    Recall that in a statement Thursday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had asked Kumuyi to consider the insecurity in the South East and not proceed with the crusade.

    “Let him (Kumuyi) and the organisers of the crusade make sure that nothing happens. The security of this region is not good because of political and criminal activities. We, therefore, advise him to stop this crusade for security reasons.

    “IPOB will not allow anyone to die because of this crusade scheduled to hold in Aba. The probability of criminals operating as unknown gunmen infiltrating the crusade is high and they will blame it on IPOB,” Powerful had said.

    Earlier, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had backed Kumuyi and urged IPOB to allow the holiness preacher to proceed with the crusade. However, the octogenarian heeded IPOB’s warning and cancelled the Aba crusade.

    The South-East zone has recorded massive killings and attacks by gunmen in the past one year. Hundreds of civilians, politicians and security agents have been gruesomely murdered by rampaging armed men parading themselves as ‘unknown gunmen’.

    Last week, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, also cancelled his crusades in Sokoto and Bauchi states following the brutal murder of a Christian student, Deborah Yakubu, for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammed. The two states have been tension-soaked in the past few days, even as fresh violence erupted in Bauchi today over alleged blasphemy.

  • 2023: I joined guber race to end era of misrule – Abia cleric

    2023: I joined guber race to end era of misrule – Abia cleric

    Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church Nigeria has formally declared his intention to contest the Abia governorship election in 2023.

    Addressing newsmen on his aspiration on Friday in Umuahia, Onuoha, who was not known to belong to any political party, said he would run on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.

    He said that he was inspired to join the race by a burning desire to put an end to the over two decades of misgovernance by politicians in the state.

    The cleric also said he resolved to venture into the fray after holding wide consultations with critical stakeholders within and outside the state.

    He said that he was first approached by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), called Cleanse and Clean Abia Group, which made a passionate appeal to him to join the race in order to help redeem the state.

    “I have consulted widely and found out that Abia people want a change,” he said.

    He further said that after he succumbed to persuasions from the NGO and other stakeholders, a group of friends contributed money and purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms for him.

    Onuoha said: “I assure you that I will not take your support for granted.

    “Your call for me to contest will not be wasted.

    “I’m that governor Abia people have been praying and waiting for.”

    According to him, by his experience in business, administration and ministry as a bishop, he possesses the requisite background to take Abia to the desired destination, if elected.

    Onuoha enumerated 11 key areas of his manifesto which, he said, would impact on all the sectors of the state.

    He listed them to include security and social welfare, digital economy and information technology transformation as well as transparency and accountability.

    Others are job creation, youth and women empowerment, agriculture and rural development.

    The rest include education for sustainable development, basic health for all, trade and commerce and faith community for development, amongst others.

    The clergyman, who is famous for criticising bad governance, decried the political recruitment process in the state.

    He contended that the process contributed largely to the gross underdevelopment of the state under successive administrations.

    He argued that the process had continued to throw up “unprepared and ill-equipped persons” to political leadership positions in the state.

    He also spoke on the current agitation by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, insecurity and sit-at-home order in the South-East.

    Onuoha attributed the spate of insecurity and sit-at-home order by the separatist group to the continued detention and trial of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to adopt a political solution to solve the problem in order to restore security, peace and economic prosperity to the area.

  • Cancel your planned crusade in Abia, IPOB warns pastor Kumuyi

    Cancel your planned crusade in Abia, IPOB warns pastor Kumuyi

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday, has warned the General Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church to cancel his scheduled crusade in Abia state TheNewsGuru.com can confirm.

    Emma Powerful the IPOB’s spokesman sounded a note of warning to Kumuyi, saying the region is not safe for crusade at the moment.

    He stressed that IPOB would not allow anyone to die, Powerful noted that any death incurred during the crusade would be blamed on the group.

    “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wishes to advise Pastor Kumuyi of Deeper life Ministry to take note of the security situation in the South East as he comes to Aba for his gospel crusade.

    ”Let him and the organisers of the crusade make sure that nothing happens. The security of this region is not good because of political and criminal activities; therefore we advise him to stop this crusade for security reasons.

    “IPOB will not allow anyone to die because of this crusade scheduled to hold in Aba. The operation of criminals operating as unknown gunmen infiltrating the events is high and they will blame it on IPOB.

    “We ask him to pray for an end to the insecurity in Biafra land if he can. We charge Christians and men of God in Biafra land to engage God in fervent prayers to expose all those behind the insecurity in our land.

    “Kumuyi should also pray against wicked Leaders and saboteurs in Biafra land and Nigeria. They are the real problems of the people. Let him use the opportunity to pray against the powers holding people captive in Nigeria in his church in Lagos.”