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Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Ebonyi lawmaker defects from Labour Party

    Ebonyi lawmaker defects from Labour Party

    A lawmaker at the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Chief Celestine Ogba (LP-Onicha East) has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ogba announced his defection at a ceremony in the state APC secretariat on Saturday in Abakalikii in the presence of party leaders.

    He said he was happy to go back to his roots having been a member of the party in the past.

    The lawmaker said that the APC was the largest political party in the country and Africa with great and influential personalities as members.

    “I am happy to join them in building blocks which would translate to mansions of delivering democratic dividends to the people.

    “What people say does not matter but ideologies which transform the lives of the people.

    “The state governor has shown that his administration is people oriented which is embedded in the people’s charter of needs mantra,” he said.

    He said that his defection was in the overall interest of his constituency.

    “I should not be a clog in the wheels of progress as I want my people, party and state to progress.

    “I come from a politically volatile local government area which should make us eschew violence but lay claim to what is rightly due to us.

    “I defected with all labour party stakeholders in the constituency as council has become one with the merger of political forces from the east and west constituencies,” he said.

    The state APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha commended Ogba for defecting to the party and described him a a big fish caught by the party.

    “When you go to the river for fishing, you will be happy to catch a big fish and that is what we have done.

    “We are looking for the best brains to project the state to the apex of national discourse and enhance our people’s well-being.

    “I have known Ogba for long and wished hin success in the spirit despite contesting in the opposition,” he said.

    He said that the party was fortifying its fold and the people would realise the magnitude of work done, during future elections in the state.

    “It will be desirable to see our candidates returned unopposed during elections and realising such starts presently,” he said.

    The ranks of the opposition had been depleting steadily in Ebonyi with mass defection to the APC.

  • 3 die as Police raid suspected gunmen’s camp in Ebonyi

    3 die as Police raid suspected gunmen’s camp in Ebonyi

    The Police Command in Ebonyi said it dislodged gunmen’s hideout in the state, killed three suspects and recovered ammunition.

    This is contained in a statement issued to reporters by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Joshua Ukandu, on Friday in Abakaliki.

    Ukandu noted that no fewer than five suspects were arrested during the operation which occured on March 21, in a forest within Omini community, Izzi Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

    He explained that the operation was in conjunction with other security agencies.

    According to the PPRO, one AK47 rifle, 2, 000 rounds of live ammunition and three vehicles were also recovered.

    “The Command, acting on credible intelligence in a joint operation with sister security agencies on March 21, stormed a suspected gunmen’s hideout in a forest within Omini community in Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State.

    “The hoodlums, sighting the operatives, opened fire on them but in the ensuing gun duel, three members of the gang were neutralized, five arrested while others escaped.

    “Three Sienna Vehicles, snatched from different individuals and used by the hoodlums to perpetrate heinous crimes, were recovered from the camp.

    “The exhibits recovered from the den indicate that the gang is responsible for the recent attacks and killing of police officers in the state.

    “Exhibits recovered in the course of the operation include one AK47 rifle with 16 rounds of live ammunition, a bag containing 2,000 rounds of live ammunition and a Police Warrant Card, among others,” he stated.

    The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Augustina Ogbodo, commended the officers involved in the operation for their gallantry.

    Ukandu said the Commissioner assured residents that the command would not relent in its fight against crime, and would be committed to the protection of lives and property in Ebonyi State.

  • 6 die, 11 injured in Ebonyi auto crash

    6 die, 11 injured in Ebonyi auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Sunday confirmed that six persons died in an automobile crash on Onueke axis at the Afikpo-Abakaliki road in Ebonyi.

    The Sector Commander, FRSC, in the State, Igwe Nnabuife, in Abakaliki disclosed the accident involved 17 persons

    Nnabuife noted that six persons died, while 11 were critically injured.

    According to Nnabuife, the accident involved three vehicles, two articulated vehicles and a commercial bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit.

    “It happened around 11:50 am at Onuwedu, Onueke axis, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi.

    “This is a multiple crash and it was caused by wrong over-taking.

    “The dead have been taken to the mortuary at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, while those injured are receiving treatment.

    “We advice drivers to always be patient while driving. Always obey the traffic rules and regulations. Avoid dangerous driving and over-speeding to save lives,” Nnabuife stated.

  • Ebonyi South rerun election: Why I will not challenge APC’s victory – PDP candidate

    Ebonyi South rerun election: Why I will not challenge APC’s victory – PDP candidate

    Mr Silas Onu, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s Ebonyi South Senatorial by-election has said it would be a waste of time going to court to challenge APC’s victory at the poll.

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Anthony Ani polled a total of 46, 270 votes to win the election ahead of Onu who could only garner 2,783 votes.

    Onu in a statement he issued to reporters on Sunday in Abakaliki commended his co-candidate of APGA, Ifeanyi Eleje and Linus Okorie of the Labour Party for their resilience and genuine contest.

    According to the PDP candidate, looking at what is obtainable in the country’s electoral process it will be a total waste of time to make any attempt at proving the obvious.

    “Therefore, it will be apt to say that power comes from God and God does not bless evil or partake in it.

    “May the will of God be done in Ebonyi South. Peace is paramount in all that we seek.

    “I can assure you all that I have never lost my peace throughout this electioneering period.

    “I know that God is working for His own Glory and no man or authority can stop what God has decreed.

    “To my teeming supporters, you are the true heroes as you have shown your resilience and love for PDP.

    Also, special thanks to those of you who were beaten up and chased out of your polling units for doing the right thing,” the statement read.

    “Your sacrifice will not be in vain as time will heal you and convict those who abused state powers against you,” he added.

  • BREAKING: Prof Ani wins Senatorial seat vacated by David Umahi

    BREAKING: Prof Ani wins Senatorial seat vacated by David Umahi

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Anthony Ani has been announced winner of Saturday’s Ebonyi South Senatorial by-election in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports David Umahi vacated the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat when he was appointed Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu.

    Ani won with 46,270 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ifeanyi Eleje of APGA who garnered 3,513.

    Silas Onu of the PDP polled 2,783 votes and Mr Linus Okorie of the LP scored 2,710 votes in the election.

    Returning Officer for the Ebonyi South Senatorial election, Eze Uchechukwu, disclosed this on Sunday in Afikpo Local Government Area of the state.

    According to Eze, Prof. Ani, having certified by the law, is declared the winner and is returned elected.

    The returning officer earlier announced a total votes of 56,363 were cast, while rejected votes were 695.

    PDP, LP Candidates allege vote buying

    Meanwhile, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Silas Onu and his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Linus Okorie, have alleged voting buying in the bye-election.

    Onu made this known at Obiozara ward, ishieke village Square polling unit in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    He accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of non-deployment of ad hoc staff to some polling units, even as he stated that accreditation and voting commenced very early.

    He explained that there were attacks on the members of his party, as he noted irregularities and vote buying were observed across his Senatorial district. He called on the relevant authorities to rise up to their responsibilities.

    On his part, Okorie complained of late arrival of election materials as he also noted that some voters were attacked by thugs, who disrupted voting process in some polling units.

    The LP candidate spoke at Enuagu-Onicha ward, Isiama Town Hall Polling Unit 011 in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where he cast his ballot.

  • APGA candidate flays Ebonyi South senatorial by-election

    APGA candidate flays Ebonyi South senatorial by-election

    Mr Ifeanyi Eleje, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the Ebonyi South Senatorial District rerun has described the election as “hugely flawed”.

    Eleje, who made the assertion on Saturday at Afikpo while speaking to newsmen, further described the process as “marred with intimidation”.

    “This is the first election I witnessed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) telling voters to vote and go.

    “Does it mean that the accreditation details would be used for thump print? I have reported to the INEC leadership in the State and it has not responded as promised,” he said.

    He said that there was no hope for the nation’s electoral system if such trend continued and called for urgent steps to check such.

    “This is an off-season elections so we expected more effectiveness in its conduct. What we however, saw was the use of authority to intimidate voters.

    “This election just as all off-season elections, experienced low voter turnout and we expect such to reflect in the results,” he said.

    The Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department of INEC in Ebonyi, Dr Christian Elekwa, however, dismissed Eleje’s assertion noting that the commission should not be associated with such.

    Elekwa disclosed in an interview that the approved practice was voters being accredited and allowed to vote immediately.

    “It is a simultaneous process and I don’t know where this sort of insinuation is coming from,” he said.

  • Senatorial bye-election: I am leading APC victory fight – Gov. Nwifuru

    Senatorial bye-election: I am leading APC victory fight – Gov. Nwifuru

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, says he is leading the fight towards the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the Feb. 3 Ebonyi South senatorial district’s bye election.

    The seat became vacant after its erstwhile occupant, Chief David Umahi, resigned to assume office as the Minister of Works.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared the seat, among others, vacant and the Independent National Electoral Commission fixed elections into such seats for Feb. 3, 2024.

    Nwifuru made the declaration on Tuesday at Afikpo Local Government Area (LGA) during the council’s rally for the election.

    The governor, who hails from Ebonyi north senatorial district, said that he was not entertaining any fear over the eventual outcome of the election.

    “The task is not too difficult as far as I am concerned, so tell our opponents that we are ready to match all their efforts.

    “To our candidate, Prof. Anthony Ani, your victory is sacrosanct because God has ordained you.

    “You were not a politician until recently. You were never in the race and even I, who made you my candidate, never thought about you,” he said.

    He urged Afikpo people and the entire citizens of the district to massively support the APC candidate and ensure his ultimate victory at the polls.

    “He has no political structure except us and we urge him to remember those who worked for his success when he gets to the senate.

    “Any LGA development centre coordinator who delivers his area magnificently will definitely get any position he wants from us,” he said.

    Mrs Patricia Obila, the state Deputy Governor, who hails from the council, thanked the governor for his presence, noting that the stakeholders will deliver the APC candidate.

    She thanked the governor for his support to her and pledged to reciprocate the gesture through the party’s overwhelming victory at the poll.

    Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, state Chairman of the APC, assured the governor that the electorate has been mobilised to ensure total victory for the party.

    Okoro-Emegha, who also hails from the district, said that selecting the party’s candidate from Onicha LGA shows the party’s penchant for equity and justice.

    Stakeholders from the council gave their goodwill messages while the governor received hundreds of defectors into the party.

    The other councils in the district, apart from Afikpo, include Edda, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo.

  • Gov Nwifuru inaugurates 64 Development Centre Coordinators in Ebonyi

    Gov Nwifuru inaugurates 64 Development Centre Coordinators in Ebonyi

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has sworn in Coordinators of the 64 Development Centres of Ebonyi with a charge to assist the local and state governments to develop the state.

    The event was held on Monday at the New Government House, Centenary City in the State Secretariat, Abakaliki.

    The governor also inaugurated newly appointed Special Assistants with a charge to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the administration as the government strove to develop the state.

    Nwifuru, in his brief speech after inaugurating the appointees, charged them to work to realise the administration’s ‘Charter of Needs’ mantra ensuring that resources meant for their development centers were used to develop their areas.

    “You may not have been the best from your various development centres but, by divine Providence, you have been selected to serve your people in this capacity; you are therefore to help the state in its development strive,” the governor said.

  • Ebonyi fire Service records 69 fire incidents, 2 deaths in 2023

    Ebonyi fire Service records 69 fire incidents, 2 deaths in 2023

    The Ebonyi Fire Service says it recorded two deaths and 69 fire incidents between January and December 2023.

    The Director of Fire Service, Mr Raphael Ibiam, gave the figure in an interview in Abakaliki.

    Ibiam identified electrical surge as a major cause of the fire incidents experienced during the period under review.

    According to him, property worth millions of naira were destroyed during the period.

    The fire expert disclosed that estimated property worth N54, 255 million were lost to the incidents while belongings saved were valued over N1 billion.

    He gave the statistics of the inferno to include casualties, false alarms and non-fire incidents attended by the fire and rescue services in the state.

    The director stated that two victims were burnt to death during the occurrences.

    “Fire calls received during this period is 66, two persons were rescued, got 2 false calls among others,” Ibiam said.

    He charged the general public to also take precautionary measures to avert fire and always remember to put off electrical appliances at home, offices when not in use.

     

  • Rerun: Umahi’s ambition threatened as APC zones senatorial ticket

    Rerun: Umahi’s ambition threatened as APC zones senatorial ticket

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi has zoned the southern senatorial district’s ticket to Onicha Local Government Area of the State.

    This is contained in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha among other State Working Committee (SWC) members.

    The zoning of the Senatorial district ticket was sequel to its rerun election fixed for February 2024 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Recall that the seat was recently declared vacant by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after its former occupier, Chief David Umahi, resigned to become the Minister of Works.

    This decision by the party remained a threat to the ambition of Umahi’s younger Brother, Austin who recently declared interest to contest the rerun.

    Austin was the Director-General of the party’s campaign committee in the last general elections.

    The party, in the statement, said it was threading the path of equity and justice with the zoning of the senatorial district ticket to Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

    “Nature abhors vacuum, hence the need to fill the vacant position of the district.

    “The APC Leader in Ebonyi, Gov. Francis Nwifuru, has exemplified leadership embodied in equity and justice and such was worthy of emulation,” the statement said.

    It stated that with the current distribution of political positions in the district, only Onicha LGA has no exalted political position of honour.

    “Afikpo North LGA produced the Deputy Governor and a House of Representatives member while Edda LGA produced the state party chairman.

    “Ivo LGA has a House of Representatives member, Ohaozara LGA has a Minister, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and a Senior Special Assistant to the President,”

    “Onicha LGA has none and in the spirit of equity and justice as propagated by the party’s leader, the vacant seat should be zoned to it,” the statement read.

    The party in the statement said that it was in total alignment with the state governor on the decision.

    “The SWC is in tandem with our leader’s philosophy of ensuring peace and peaceful coexistence in all parts of the state,” the communique read.

    Umahi’s brother hail from Ohaozara LGA.