TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ebonyi State

  • 2023: Umahi loses senatorial bid in court

    2023: Umahi loses senatorial bid in court

    A Federal High Court in Abakaliki on Friday, dismissed suit filed by Gov Dave Umahi seeking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept him as the Ebonyi South Senatorial candidate for 2023 polls.

    The court also recognized Mrs Ann Agom-Eze, who came second in the May 28 primary of the APC in the state and ordered INEC to conduct fresh primary within 14 days for the zone to accommodate Agom-Eze.

    Recall that Umahi through his counsel, Roy Nweze, had dragged INEC to the Federal High Court, compeling the commission to recognize him as the authentic senatorial candidate for the zone.

    Also recall that Mr Austin Umahi (the governor’s younger brother), a contender had withdrawn at the second primary election conducted on June 9, 2022, wherein the governor was reported to have won unopposed.

    Justice Fatun Riman, in his judgement, noted that Umahi was not an aspirant and could not participate in the election or pre-election matters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as regards the Ebonyi South zone, whose primary held on the May 28.

    Riman said that according to Section 115 of the Electoral Act 2022, the governor neither procured forms for nor participated in the election and could not claim any right based on the primary election.

    The Counsel to Mrs Ann Agom-Eze, Mr Nnaemeka Nwonwu, expressed satisfaction by the judgement.

    “Yes, the court has ordered APC to conduct fresh primary to ratify the candidacy of our client, Ann Agom-Eze, who took the second position as governor’s younger brother has withdrawn.

    “The court has given 14 days from today, Friday to conduct a fresh primary for the zone,” he said.

    Efforts to get the reaction of Counsel to Umahi, Mr Roy Nweze were abortive.

  • Fake police officer nabbed in Ebonyi state

    In Ebonyi state a fake police officer Enyi Friday who specialized in defrading people and deceiving them into believing that he’s an authetic police officer is cooling off in police cell.

    This development was made known by the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba over the weekend.

    Findings show that the suspect, Enyi hails from Umunwagu Idembia community in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State and was arrested for impersonation.

    Enyi was arrested by one Anyigor Lazarus, who is a Commander of Ebubeagu Security outfit in Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi State.

    Enyi, who is not a police officer was caught wearing the uniform of a Police Corporal hence his arrest.

    The commissioner, in a statement, signed and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, through the police public relations officer, PPRO, SP Chris Anyanwu said the suspect has been handed over to the State Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.

    He urged the general public to continue to partner with the Police in Ebonyi State in a bid to rid the communities of criminal elements.

    The fake police officer will be arraigned in court for offences ranging from impersonation and swindling the public of their hard earned money.

     

  • Ebonyi Deputy Governor denies plan to dump APC

    Ebonyi Deputy Governor denies plan to dump APC

    Dep. Gov. Kelechi Igwe of Ebonyi has said that he does not have any plan to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour party.

    His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abakiliki and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.

    The statement was issued against the backdrop of the report in a social media platform alleging that Igwe had concluded plans to dump APC.

    Uzor described the report as false, adding that it was a deliberate attempt to smear the deputy governor’s office and personality.

    “It is quite unfortunate that the purveyor of the report, being an Ebonyi indegene, was deliberately attempting to heat up the polity through dangerous speculations and misinformation.

    “This is capable of undermining the peace in the state and I hereby state clearly that I remain a strong and bona fide member of APC.

    “I have no intention to leave the party now or later,” Uzor further stated.

    He also stated that the deputy governor had enormous responsibilities occupying his time, especially how to assist Gov. David Umahi to successfully anchor the  transition programme.

    “The public, and APC members in particular, should disregard such unfounded rumour peddled by those envious of the progress the party is making.

    “The purveyor of that report should immediately retract it and tender unreserved apology to the deputy governor,” the statement added.

  • Gunmen attack Ebonyi communities, kill 3 persons

    Gunmen attack Ebonyi communities, kill 3 persons

    Suspected gunmen on Monday attacked Ngbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, killing three persons and destroying properties believed to be worth millions of naira.

    The spokesman of the State Police Command, SP Chris Anyanwu made this known in Abakaliki on Tuesday, confirming that the command was aware of the incident.

    According to Anyanwu, the incident occurred at Ojiogu and Okpochiri Ukwagba Ngbo communities on Monday and `few persons` have been reported dead.

    “Yes, we have some details. It happened yesterday, Monday. Two houses and one shop were burnt. Two motorcycles and one tricycle were also burnt by the hoodlums.

    “The DPO in the area said there are few dead bodies seen on the ground. The police are working round the clock to ensure the restoration of peace in the area,” the Police spokesman said.

    Mr Clement Odah, Executive Chairman, Ohaukwu Local Government Area condemned the incident.

    He assured that efforts would be intensified to unravel the circumstances that led to ‘such unwarranted attack and loss of lives and properties.’

  • JUST IN: DSS invites Ebonyi PDP Spokesman over his Biafra-themed wedding cake

    The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Mr Nwoba Chika Nwoba has been invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his wedding cake.

    Mr Nwoba and his wife, Onyinyechi, surprised their guests at their wedding reception when they unveiled a cake designed with the insignia and colours of the defunct Biafra Republic.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the wedding took place at St. Joseph Anglican church, in his country home, Ekpelu community in Ikwo LGA of the State on Saturday, June, 25, 2022.

    The reception took place in the compound of the community primary school.

    Confirming his invitation by DSS, Mr Nwoba, in his verified Facebook wall on Monday at about some minutes past 9 p.m, wrote that the DSS, had summoned him to appear in their Abakaliki office by 12 noon tomorrow [today].

    Nwoba wrote, “Got an invitation from the DSS, Abakaliki office tomorrow by 12 pm. I knew I would be invited. As a law-abiding citizen, if the road is clear tomorrow, I will honour it.”

    Speaking on the intention behind the cake, the Ebonyi PDP Spokesman stated that he did his wedding with a Biafra-styled cake as a show of solidarity with Biafra agitation.

    According to him, every Igbo man no matter their political affiliations ought to embrace the struggle for the creation of Biafra.

    “Some journalists while interviewing me about why our wedding cake wore a Biafran colour and logos, asked if security agents had invited me for questioning over it.

    “I continue to reply that court only proscribed IPOB and not Biafra as an ideology. On that cake, no IPOB inscription was there. Wasn’t cut in the name of IPOB when it was about to be eaten. I am not a member of IPOB. Biafran colours have been in existence before the establishment of the IPOB.

    “Biafra is an ideology. It’ll continue to be one until the Nigerian state begins to factor Ndigbo in the scheme of things in Nigeria. What I am against is the idea of pursuing Biafran state creation violently.

    “All of us have to be alive to witness when the agitations will be led to rest either by way of getting the Nigeria system giving a sense of belonging to the South East or by actual creation of a new country the people can be proud to call theirs. That’s the intention behind that cake,” Nwoba wrote.

    See wedding cake below:

    JUST IN: DSS invites Ebonyi PDP Spokesman over his wedding cake

    Recall that the Nigerian government banned everything that’s associated with the defunct Biafra Republic after the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is one of the foremost Igbo separatists agitating for a breakaway from the Nigerian State.

    Since the prosecution of IPOB by the Nigerian government, anyone found with an item bearing Biafra insignia faces arrest and prosecution by the Nigerian government.

  • Ekweremadu: Ebonyi Govt reaches out to family of touted organ donor

    The Ebonyi Government says it is reaching out to the family of the individual contacted by Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (PDP – Enugu West) to donate his kidney to the senator’s ailing daughter.

    The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr  Uchenna Orji made the disclosure in  a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abakaliki.

    Orji said the state government was reaching out to David Ukpo’s family, the touted donor who is from the state.

    “Ukpo’s  information to the metropolitan authority of the United Kingdom orchestrated the criminal charge incidented against Ekweremmadu and his wife.

    “The state government is following the turn of events and twists which followed the medical intention of the former Deputy Senate President, over the health condition of his daughter,  Sonia.

    “These circumstances led to the detention of the senator and his wife in the United Kingdom (UK).

    “We urge the UK government to act progressively and meticulously while critically looking at the intention of the detained family.

    “The Ebonyi goverment urges that they be given the benefit of the doubt.

    “We also enjoin the public especially those with shades of opinions and surge of anxieties, to remain calm.

    “The goverment hopes to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

    The commissioner reiterated that the state government stands with Ekweremadu at this trying moment.

    “We hope that the truth and nothing but it shall guide the outcome of the matter” he stated.

  • 2023: Ebonyi factional PDP announces deputy gov candidate

    Sen. Obinna Ogba, a factional governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, has nominated Dr Oliver Osi as his running mate.

    Osi is currently a lawmaker representing Ivo State Constituency in the Ebonyi House of Assembly.

    His nomination was conveyed in a letter dated June 22 addressed to Sen. Iyiorcha Ayu, National Chairman of PDP.

    Ogba, who is representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone in the Senate, said Osi’s nomination was in compliance with provisions of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution..

    The letter read: “In compliance with Section 187(1) and (2) of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution, as amended, the electoral guidelines and the PDP guidelines,  I write to convey my nomination of Dr Oliver Osi as the deputy governorship candidate of our great party in the 2023 general election.

    “His nomination is the outcome of detailed and wide  ranging consultations with party stakeholders in the state. I have no doubt that his inclusion will add strong electoral value to our ticket.

    Ogba was elected the PDP governorship candidate in primary the election conducted by a faction led by Mr Tochukwu Okorie on June 5.

    However, an Abakaliki Federal High Court earlier in June nullified the primary election conducted by the Ogba group and upheld the primaries conducted by Mr Silas Onu’s led faction.

    The Onu’s faction elected Dr Ifeanyochukwu Odii as the party’s governorship candidate on May 29.

    Both Okorie and Onu are laying claims to the chairmanship of the party in Ebonyi.

  • Ex-Ebonyi SSG clinches APGA guber ticket

    A former Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Professorprof  Benard Odoh, has emerged candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the 2023 governorship elections in the state.

    His emergence was confirmed on Sunday after the party’s primary election which took place in Abakaliki, the state capital, having polled 513 votes.

    ALSO READ: Delta: Ogboru emerges APGA guber candidate, vows its time to take over from PDP

    Chairman of the state APGA Governorship Primary Election Committee in Ebonyi, Dr. Olalere Samson, who announced the results, said Odoh picked all the votes, having contested unopposed.

    In his acceptance speech, Odoh described his victory as the beginning of the eventual liberation for the people of the state.

    He described APGA as the only viable party in the state, arguing that the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have been torn beyond redemption by crises.

  • Anyim writes Ayu again as Ebonyi delegates list crisis gets messier

    Anyim writes Ayu again as Ebonyi delegates list crisis gets messier

    PDP frontline presidential aspirant, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim has written a second open letter to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Iyorchia Ayu complaining about the manipulation of the delegates list for Ebonyi State.

    The second letter which came less than ten hours after the first, complained that the authentic list of delegates from the state had been changed and replaced with people who were not elected as delegates.

    In the first letter, the former President of the Senate had complained that Ebonyi delegates names were completely missing from the PDP’s national delegates list.

    The second letter was also copied to Sen. David Mark, Chairman of the 2022 PDP Special Convention.

    Titled: “Re: Open Letter on the Absence of Ebonyi State Delegates List”, the letter reads, “The Chairman may refer to my earlier letter of today the 27th day of May 2022 and captioned as above.

    “I am to observe that shortly after my letter, I noticed in an official publication by the party, list of Ebonyi State Delegates alongside other states.

    “It is disheartening that by 6pm today, the Ebonyi State Delegates List has changed from what was officially published.

    “There is no doubt that the aim of this gamble with Ebonyi State Delegates List is to disenfranchise duly elected delegates from Ebonyi State from participating in the presidential primary election.

    “Let it be on record that anybody not on the list originally published by the party, is certainly not a delegate from Ebonyi State”, Anyim cautioned.

  • APC Guber primary: Two party flagbearers emerge in Ebonyi state

    The All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Ebonyi State on Thursday held Parallel  Primary elections  and they produced two gubernatorial candidates ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

    Findings show  that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the state is divided, one faction is led by the governor David Umahi and another, by Elias Mbam.

    The Ebonyi Governor held his factional guber primary at the township stadium in the state while the other primary election held at an undisclosed venue in the same state.

    Umahi’s side produced the speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, EBSHA, Mr Francis Nwifuru  as the winner.

    Mbam, who is the former chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and fiscal commission was declared the winner of the second parallel primary election.

    It was gathered that Mbam’s faction had stormed the unity square where the electoral materials were distributed in the early hours of Thursday to participate in the gubernatorial primaries but were allegedly attacked by suspected thugs.

    However, Mbam who was declared the winner by a returning officer, Mr. Inya Otu who conducted his faction’s primaries said “Mbam secured 741 votes, Francis Nwifuru secured 7 votes, Julius Ali Ucha got 4 votes, Edward Nkwagu got 2 votes, Rosemary Ofoke got 1 vote, while invalid votes is 22.

    “With these results, Elias Mbam having secured the highest votes is hereby returned elected as the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Ebonyi state” he stated.

    In a reaction, Elias Mbam said: “I want to thank all the delegates from the 171 wards of the state for founding me worthy to fly the flag of APC in the state. I assure the people that APC will win the 2023 election and will continue to retain power in the state” he stated.

    Also, the Governor David Umahi’s faction group elected Francis Nwifuru as the winner by securing the highest votes of 743.

    The returning officer, Prof. Emmanuel Adeboye who declared Nwifuru winner said, “Ali Julius Ucha got 22 votes, Edward Nkwagu got 8 votes, Elias Mbam got 10 votes, Rosemary Ofoke got 63 votes while the invalid votes are 5.

    “Mr. Francis Nwifuru for having secured the highest votes is hereby elected and returned as the gubernatorial candidate of APC in Ebonyi state” he announced.