TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Why Gov. Umahi wants NASS leadership positions zoned

    Why Gov. Umahi wants NASS leadership positions zoned

    The Governor of Ebonyi State Dave Umahi, has advised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure it adopts a zoning formular for the emergence of leaders of the 10th National Assembly.

    He gave the advice on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking to State House Correspondents, after he met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

    He said doing so will ensure equity and balance of power among the geo-political zones of the country.

    “I am a party man and I am very committed to a descent process. The party and the President-Elect directed that we shouldn’t talk about that yet but we should all go back and work for the gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly election.

    “But I believe strongly that zoning must be done by the party. It should not allow everybody to jump to the race and when the time comes for zoning they must look at all the parameters in order to carry every region along. This is very important,” he said.

    Commenting on the chances of the APC in the forthcoming Governorship election in the South East, the Governor expressed optimism that the APC will do well.

    “I would, first of all, like to analyze my State although we are going to have an election there, out of the five in the region. Governorship elections will be held in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu, the other two are off-season. But there will be House of Assembly elections in all five States.

    “In my State (Ebonyi), I have nothing to worry about because I think God has done the work for me. Our candidate is going to emerge no matter how desperate the opposition will want to thrive.

    “First and foremost, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has already announced that there is no gubernatorial candidate for the Labour Party in Ebonyi; but even if there was a candidate standing for election, he is no match to the candidate of the APC so I am very sure that we are going to win,” Umahi stressed.

     

  • Murder: Police barred from arresting Ebonyi APGA guber candidate

    Murder: Police barred from arresting Ebonyi APGA guber candidate

    A High Court 1 in Abakaliki, has restrained the Nigerian Police Force from arresting Prof Benard Odoh, Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) over the murder of Umuezeokoha Traditional Ruler, Igboke Ewa.

    Recall that the deceased, from Omege Village, Umuezeokaoha in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi and Chairman of Ezza Traditional Rulers, was murdered at his palace on Feb. 27 by suspected assassins.

    The court also ordered the police to first do a thorough and independent investigation into the complaint.

    Justice Elvis Ngene, in his judgement on the matter in Abakaliki on Friday, restrained the police from arresting Odoh.

    According to Ngene, “I hereby direct the second and third respondents to thoroughly investigate the allegation levelled against the first respondent and others.

    “If he or they are found culpable of the alleged murder, such persons should be arrested,” he added.

    Recall also that the Police in the state had declared the APGA Governorship Candidate wanted over a petition brought against him by some members of his family.

    Counsel to Odoh, led by C. K. Okorie (SAN), challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the application.

    Counsel to the family of the deceased, Chinedu Igboke, told journalists that he would appeal the ruling on the matter.

    The matter was brought before the High Court by the son of the Traditional Ruler, Mr Collins Igboke, against the Gubernatorial Candidate, Odoh, Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi Command, and the Inspector General of Police.

  • PDP condemns attack on party Chieftain by thugs in Ebonyi

    PDP condemns attack on party Chieftain by thugs in Ebonyi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Ebonyi State chapter, has condemned the unwarranted and heinous attack on the country home of its party chieftain, Mr Boniface Ofoke, at Edukwu Achi in Izzi Local Government Area of the State.

    The condemnation is contained in a press statement in Abakaliki on Friday by Mr Moses Idika, Deputy Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Campaign Council.

    Idika noted that the attack, which occurred on Thursday night forced the party to put on hold its campaign rally already fixed to hold in Ofoke’s compound in Izzi area on Friday.

    “The thugs came with two Sienna buses on Thursday night swooped on the residence of Ofoke with AK 47 and pump action rifles.

    “They ravaged the entire compound in a hail of gunshots, leaving in their trail destruction and hundreds of expended bullets shells.

    “We call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and other security agencies to step in to stop the enemies plan to truncate the electoral process in Ebonyi.

    “The politicians fueling this crisis should be reminded that self-preservation is an inherent right of everyone and no one has the monopoly of violence,” Idika said.

  • Just In: Court disbands Ebubeagu security outfit

    Just In: Court disbands Ebubeagu security outfit

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki on Tuesday disbanded the South-East security outfit Ebubeagu in Ebonyi State.

    According to the court, the disbandment of the security outfit was as a result of human rights abuses, extortions, illegal arrests and use of fire arms.

    The South Eastern regional security outfit called Ebubeagu on 12th April 2021. This latter group came after long public pressure from the citizens due to the rising insecurity.

    The operations of these regional networks of security to support policing in their various zones attracts different levels of legitimation from the population in their operational bases.

    At the time the Ebubeagu security outfit was launched, ESN was already confronting the violent herdsmen in different parts of the South East. IPOB in question had declared that it was not going to coexist with Ebubeagu in the region. Besides, the operations of Ebubeagu have been trailed by reports of rights abuses, torture and extra-judicial killings. In Ebonyi State, it was reported that the security outfit is used to harassment of perceived enemies of the State Government. In Imo State, several deaths have been linked to Ebubeagu. Also, the widespread misgiving about the security outfit led to an allegation that they overlapped into Oba in Anambra State recently to attack a prominent member of the community. Overall, Ebubeagu tends not to command the required goodwill of a localised security outfit to support security in the South East.

  • Hundreds of APC members defect to PDP in Ebonyi

    Hundreds of APC members defect to PDP in Ebonyi

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi on Friday, received hundreds of  defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    The Party’s Gubernatorial candidate, Dr IfeanyiChukwuma Odii, who welcomed the decampees in Abakaliki, said the PDP is ready to win in the forthcoming general elections.

    “PDP as a transformed party has brought lots of transformation to Ebonyi before the mandate was stolen away, but we are moving forward to reclaiming it.

    “I want to assure our people that by the special grace of God, we will attend to our manifesto.

    “When we come on board, we will make sure that every child in the state will have access to education.

    “We will create wealth for the people, suffering will erased and there will be jobs for the youths.

    “This movement today shows that PDP is one family and we will continue to unite for victory. Our party believes in peace and hopefully, the election will be peaceful.

    “You are welcome to the umbrella, where you belong today, which is capable of accommodating everyone in Ebonyi and Nigeria.

    He, therefore, urged residents of the state to vote for the PDP from top to bottom.

    Emenike Jeff, who led the defectors from Ugwuagu-Ndieto ward 2, Izzi local government area of the state, said their decision to join PDP was to support a candidate with good character for better Ebonyi and Nigeria at large.

    “When I was in APC, there were lots of things we saw, which I don’t like and as a peace-loving person, I have to leave to join the PDP.

    “I strongly believe in peace and we will join hands to deliver PDP in my  community and my local government,” he said.

  • Ebonyi Labour Party chieftain defects to PDP

    Ebonyi Labour Party chieftain defects to PDP

    Chief Henry Ude (AjimBest), a chieftain of the Labour Party in Ebonyi has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abakaliki signed by Chief Abia Onyike, the Director, Media and Publicity, PDP Governorship Campaign Council.

    Ude, one of the founding fathers of Ebonyi and an LP stalwart in Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state confirmed the development when he spoke with journalists in Abakaliki.

    He said his decision to return back to his former party was to help in the struggle to free the state from political quagmire.

    Ude, a founding members of PDP was famous for singlehandedly sponsoring media advertisements during the struggle for the creation of Ebony in the early 1990s by Military Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    He said that he was convinced that the PDP had the capacity to restore peace, security and freedom to the people in the state.

    “I am in PDP now to join the rest of our patriotic forces who are yearning for freedom of movement, freedom of association and freedom for liberty and progress,” Ude said.

    He enjoined the people to join the new political liberation movement led by the state PDP governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii to wrestle power from the APC led administration in the state.

    “I am assuring Ebonyi people that it is feasible, achievable and possible for PDP to reclaim its stolen mandate in order to reposition the state through good governance to cater for the welfare and well-being of the masses.

    “The secret of life is, ‘have no fear’ when you are being pushed and you continue to run, you will never stop running. With the help of Almighty God, Ebonyi will be free again,” he said.

  • Umahi lifts embargo on enthronement of traditional rulers in Ebonyi

    Umahi lifts embargo on enthronement of traditional rulers in Ebonyi

    Governor David Umahi has lifted the embargo on the enthronement of traditional rulers in communities across Ebonyi State.

    Umahi made the announcement on Saturday, during the All Progressive Congress (APC) Local Government Rally in Isu, the Headquarters of Onicha Local Government Area in the state.

    The governor had suspended the traditional ruler of Isinkwo community in Onicha Local Government Area, Mr Josephat Ikengwu, over alleged ongoing killings in his domain.

    The governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy matters and Rural Development, Mr Donatus Njoku, to embark on plans to ensure a seamless exercise in the state.

    He warned that killings in the area must stop, adding that curse would follow perpetrators of such crime.

    He further promised the people that he would work hard to ensure elevation of Federal College of Education in Isu to a university level, if elected as Senator to represent the Ebonyi South senatorial zone of the state in February General Elections.

    Wife of the Governor, Mrs Racheal Umahi, appealed to the people to uphold the existing equity by voting for Mr Francis Nwifuru for Governorship and other candidates of the party, during the general elections.

    “In 2015, the Abakaliki people supported us, they sent their kings and queens to support us, this is the time to pay them back.

    “By the crowd here, I am sure we are ready to pay them back. Let us not mortgage our chances in the future. The people of the South should support the Ebonyi North people so that within another 16 years, it will be our turn again,” Mrs Umahi said.

    The APC Governorship Flagbearer, Mr Nwifuru and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, pledged to present people of Onicha, a pride of place, if elected as governor on March 11, governorship election in the state.

    Mr Chidiebere Agwu, the Council Chairman, Prof. Okorie Ani, Mr Donatus Njoku, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, Mrs Chinyere Nwanoke, Mr Chika Nwangele, Mrs Elizabeth Onwe, among others, pledged that the people would ensure their victory.

    The candidate of the party for Ohanivo Federal Constituency, Mr Felix Igboke, while soliciting for votes of the people, assured them of positive representation at the National Assembly.

    The National Treasurer of APC, Mr Matthew Uguru and the Director General of Divine Mandate Campaign Council, Mr Austin Umahi, urged people of Onicha to vote the party’s candidates in the interest of equity, justice and fairness.

    The rally featured blessings and adoption of the governorship candidate and the other party’s candidates from the zone in the forthcoming general elections by the traditional rulers.

  • Gunmen shoot 3 policemen to death at Ebonyi checkpoint

    Gunmen shoot 3 policemen to death at Ebonyi checkpoint

    Gunmen shot three policemen to death in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on Saturday.

    Police spokesman in Ebonyi, SP Chris Anyanwu, disclosed this on Sunday in Abakaliki.

    Anyanwu disclosed that the police operatives were killed at a border community between Ebonyi and Enugu State.

    “The hoodlums operated in two Sienna vehicles, drove into the police check-point and opened fire on the policemen.

    “Three police personnel of `Operation Safer Highway’, were fatally injured and were later confirmed dead by medical personnel,’’ Anyanwu stated.

  • PDP suspends its Ebonyi Chairman over anti-party activities

    PDP suspends its Ebonyi Chairman over anti-party activities

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its Chairman in Ebonyi State, Mr Okorie Okoroafor over alleged anti-party activities.

    Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the suspension was ratified by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) after an emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja.

    “Pursuant to sections 29 (2) (b) and 57(3) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended) the NWC on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) approved the suspension of Okoroafor with effect from Friday, Jan. 27.

    “The suspension was over allegations of anti-party activities and violation of provisions of Section 58 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017),” he said.

    He added that Okoroafor had been referred to the party’s appropriate disciplinary committee for further action.

  • Corps member delivers Ebonyi State’s first baby of 2023

    Corps member delivers Ebonyi State’s first baby of 2023

    The wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Racheal Umahi welcomed the first baby of the year around 12.52 a.m at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

    The baby girl, weighing 3 kilogram at birth, was delivered by a National Youth Service Corps member, Mrs Chidimma Attah-Favour, serving in Ebonyi but hails from Nsukka, Enugu State.

    Speaking during her visit to the first baby delivered through Spontenous Vagina Delivery (SVD), Mrs Umahi prayed and thanked God for safe delivery.

    She commended the management of the hospital for their commitment and attention to ensure safe delivery.

    She urged the parent to bring up the baby properly to better their family and the society.

    “2023 is a unique year and God proved himself mighty; we appreciate God for keeping everyone alive to see the New Year.

    “We join the family of this baby to thank God for safe delivery and for the gift of a baby girl.

    “The child will be a great preacher, fill her with God’s word and knowledge properly for the betterment of the society and her family,” Mrs Umahi said.

    Dr Richard Ewa, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, confirmed that the baby was delivered through SVD.

    Ewa commended governor Umahi-led administration for its support and contributions to the hospital so far.

    “The baby was born at 12.52a.m, weighing 3kg and was delivered by a corp member,” he said.

    Also, Mrs Chidimma Attah-favour, mother of the first baby expressed satisfaction over the visit and commended Mrs Umahi for the gift.

    She, however, promised to bring up the baby properly and thanked God for safe delivery. The governor’s wife presented various items and foodstuff to the mother of the baby.