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Tag: Ebonyi

  • PDP dissolves Ebonyi, Ekiti States executives

    PDP dissolves Ebonyi, Ekiti States executives

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the party’s Ebonyi and Ekiti State executive committees with immediate effect.

    Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba said this in a statement in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the NWC approved the dissolution of the two states’ executive after extensive deliberations and consultations.

    He said the decision of the NWC was pursuant to Sections 29(2)(b) and 31(2)€ of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

    “The PDP charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, and teeming members of our Party in Ebonyi and Ekiti States respectively to remain united and focused on the task ahead,” Ologunagba said.

  • Nwifuru condemns forceful ejection of residents of govt quarters

    Nwifuru condemns forceful ejection of residents of govt quarters

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, has condemned the activities of some persons who forcefully ejected occupants of government residential quarters in Abakaliki.

    Nwifuru, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, said that the activities of such persons have come to his notice.

    The governor, in the statement, announced that he did not give any ejection order.

    “The people involved in this act of intimidation are hereby warned to desist or face the wrath of the law.

    “Security agents are directed to arrest and prosecute any person or groups attempting to eject occupants of government quarters,” the statement read.

    The statement indicated that the public and occupants of government quarters will be informed when such a directive becomes necessary.

  • Ebonyi governor disowns official portrait in circulation

    Ebonyi governor disowns official portrait in circulation

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, says his photograph, currently in circulation on social media, does not represent his official portrait.

    Nwifuru disowned the portrait in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.

    The governor, in the statement, disclosed that the photograph does not represent his official portrait as the governor.

    “The public should disregard the photograph as the governor’s official portrait will be made public when it is ready,” the statement read.

  • Gunmen kills 3 police officers, injure one in Ebonyi

    Gunmen kills 3 police officers, injure one in Ebonyi

    Unknown gunmen killed three police officers and injured one at Oshiri Divisional Command, located in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Wednesday.

    Four police officers have so far been killed by hoodlums in the state within two days, and a total of three officers were seriously injured during the attacks.

    Commissioner of Police Faleye Olayele confirmed the attack in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by Ebonyi State Police Command’s spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya.

    According to the statement: “Operatives of the command on stop and search duty at Oshiri Division were attacked by armed hoodlums. Sadly, three policemen lost their lives; one was injured and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

    “Tactical teams were immediately drafted to the area to go after the hoodlums. Consequently, two of the hoodlums were neutralised, and others escaped with bullet wounds.”

    According to the police authorities, items recovered from the hoodlums include a Lexus ES-350 model, a fabricated AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine with seven rounds of ammunition, an SMG rifle and magazine with rounds of ammunition, a pack of hard drugs (SK), charms, juju drums, and chakra musical instruments for shrines.

    Olayele appealed to the public to report anyone with bullet wounds or a suspicious character in order to apprehend those still at large.

     

     

  • Just In: Former Ebonyi Senator, Anyim Ude is dead

    Just In: Former Ebonyi Senator, Anyim Ude is dead

    A onetime senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Anyim Ude, dies at the age of 82.

    The announcement of the death of the politician is contained in a statement signed by Mr Nnanna Ude, the eldest son of the deceased on Thursday in Abakaliki.

    According to the statement, the elder statesman died peacefully on May 15, two weeks before the celebration of his 82nd birthday.

    “It is with heavy hearts but total gratitude to the Almighty God that our family announces the passing of our father, Sen. (Elder) Anyim Chukwu Ude, MON.

    “He departed this world and joined the saints on Monday, May 15, 2023; just two weeks to his 82nd birthday.

    “Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced by the family as we seek your prayers for the repose of his soul to eternal life in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ,” the statement read.

    Ude was elected to represent the Ebonyi South Senatorial District in 2007 where he attracted a lot of developmental constituency projects to the Ebonyi South zone.

    The late Senator and Octogenarian was born on June 1, 1941, in Akaeze, in the present-day Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before going to the Senate, the late Ude had a thriving career in the Nigerian Public Service spanning 42 years.

    “He was a veteran journalist, broadcaster and administrator with vast experience in public service, especially in media matters.

    “He entered the public service of former Eastern Nigeria as a clerk in 1960 and later joined the Eastern Nigeria Information Service, Printers and Publishers of ‘Nigerian Outlook’ in May 1965 as a reporter.

    “He served as the Director-General of Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC); pioneer DG, Abia Broadcasting Corporation.”

    He was the pioneer commissioner of the Ebonyi Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the defunct Ebonyi Broadcasting Service (ESBS) now Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) and in several other portfolios as a commissioner.

  • Assembly members forfeited 3-years constituency project funds for Ebonyi Airport – Umahi

    Assembly members forfeited 3-years constituency project funds for Ebonyi Airport – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says that members of the state House of Assembly forfeited their three-year constituency project funds for the completion of the state’s new international airport.

    Umahi made the disclosure during the test-run of flight operations at the airport christened Muhammadu Buhari international airport, at Onueke on Thursday.

    The governor stated that the assembly led by its Speaker, Chief Francis Nwifuru, made tremendous sacrifices for the actualisation of the airport, which he said cost N36 billion.

    “When we were seeking N10 billion to procure equipment for the airport, the speaker recalled the members who were on recess to approve the fund.

    “The members did not only approve the fund, they also forfeited their three-years constituency project funds to ensure the project is completed,” he said.

    He also expressed profound appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘unquantified’ support towards the realisation of the airport.

    “The president approved the sum of N10 billion for the construction of the domestic and international wings of the airport.

    “When we were constrained on funds to procure equipment, he directed the ministry of finance to source funds for us even if it is a loan.

    “The airport is named after Buhari as approved by the state house of assembly and if you say he is not good to you, he is to me and Ebonyi.

    “We will continue loving him and before a fortnight, he will be in Ebonyi to inaugurate the project,” he said.

    He noted that the government would prevail on the federal government to take over the airport which had presently created over 500 jobs and concession it.

    “Government is a poor manager of resources but we are seriously interested in the revenue generated from the facility,” he said.

    Mr Oladipo Adebayo, a Representative of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority called on Ebonyi people to ensure the maintenance and protection of the airport’s facilities because it has “opened them to the world”.

    Chief Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of the state House of Assembly thanked God for the project and Umahi for his commitment towards actualising the project.

    Nwifuru, who is the state’s Governor-elect said that the governor had put him under severe pressure due to the monumental projects that he would inherit and maintain.

    Mr Collins Oti, a Representative of Air Peace airlines, which two aircraft landed at the airport, urged  the state’s incoming administration to fully maximise the airport’s potentials.

    Goodwill messages were delivered at the occasion by the immediate past state Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, representatives of the clergy, traditional institution among others.

  • “I retired permanent secretary who could not calculate gratuities” – Umahi

    “I retired permanent secretary who could not calculate gratuities” – Umahi

    “I retired a permanent secretary in the Ebonyi civil service prematurely because the official could not calculate civil servants’ gratuities,’’ Gov. David Umahi said on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

    Umahi made the declaration while swearing in new permanent secretaries and members of the state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

    “The deputy governor asked me to reverse the decision, but I declined and that will be his first request that I am not granting in the eight years that he had been deputy governor.

    “You can still give me the elements which make up the gratuity even if you don’t know how to calculate it,’’ he noted.

    Umahi said, however, that he might reverse the decision and urged the newly sworn-in officials to read widely; be prudent and magnify their offices.

    The governor noted that the issue of gratuity of civil servants in the state was worrisome.

    He observed that permanent secretaries in Ebonyi were among the best in the country and added that they should strive to maintain the Ebonyi standard.

    “We have raised a standard in Ebonyi that makes us compete with the best in the world.

    “Anyone who fails to meet the standard will be asked whether or not he comes from Ebonyi.

    “Set examinations for yourselves on performance because Ebonyi should not be your limits in exposure and proficiency.

    “The theory that helped me, which should also help you, is to regard public duties or services as your personal business,’’ he said.

    The governor said that he diligently understudied the Israelis and it helped him to attain engineering proficiency.

    “I was tutored in an Israeli firm in 1987 on a monthly salary of N650.

    “I listened to my mentors and though I have just a first degree in engineering, I can debate favourably with a professor in the field,’’ he said.

    Responding, Chief Sabinus Nwankwegu, Chairman of the Public Complaints and anti-Corruption Commission pledged to justify the confidence reposed in members by the governor.

  • I have nothing personal against Umahi – LP’s Okorie

    I have nothing personal against Umahi – LP’s Okorie

    Chief Linus Okorie, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the last general election on Wednesday said he had no personal grudges against Gov. David Umahi.

    He told NAN in Abakiliki that he was only pursuing his political ambitions.

    Umahi and Okorie were political allies until Okorie nursed the ambition to contest for the Senatorial seat on the platform of LP.

    They are currently engaged in a legal battle for the senatorial seat which was won by Umahi.

    Okorie had filed a petition at the election tribunal against Umahi’s declaration as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    However, Okorie’s action has not gone down well with Umahi who had expressed concern that one of his political allies was now challenging him.

    However, Okorie, while acknowledging the role Umahi has played in his politics, told NAN that he also played a role in Umahi’s emergence as a governor in 2015.

    “Umahi as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2010 was instrumental to my emergence as a House of Representatives member.

    “I, my family, and generations will always keep this in in mind; it can never be written off.

    “It should however be noted that from 2008, I and the Odefas built the structure on which he emerged as the party chairman, deputy governor and subsequently governor.

    “During my first stint at the House of Representatives, I had the privilege of having ears where it mattered,” he said.

    He told NAN that he raised the possibility of Umahi’s governorship in 2014 with the then Nigeria’s first family.

    “I had the chance to run for the governorship then but sacrificed the ambition due to my love and loyalty to him.

    “I fell out with him because he never wanted me to vie for the Senate as this cost me a return to the House of Representatives in 2019,” he alleged.

    Okorie said that in spite of the prevailing circumstances, he still loved and wished Umahi well.

    “I have benefitted tremendously from him but he has also benefited from me”, he said.

  • I didn’t know my family voted for Peter Obi – Umahi reveals

    I didn’t know my family voted for Peter Obi – Umahi reveals

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has revealed that his family voted for Peter Obi of the Labour Party without his knowledge during the 2023 presidential election.

    He disclosed this on Monday during Channels Television’s interview.

    “In all honesty, I didn’t give any chance to the Labour Party to win any election in my State (Ebonyi State) because what we have put in place was such that no other political party should be able to win anything, not even Councilorship election in my State. I saw the Labour Party vote as a protest against my Party (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    “I was very surprised; even in my family, there was a conspiracy against me. I did not know that they voted for Peter Obi, but in the other election, they voted for APC because of what we’ve done in the State.

    “It was not a vote for His Excellency Peter Obi. As such, there is seemingly hardship and challenges in Nigeria”, Umahi said.

  • Voters’ apathy mar Ebonyi supplementary elections

    Voters’ apathy mar Ebonyi supplementary elections

    Voter apathy trailed Saturday’s supplementary election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi.

    There was low turnout of voters in some of the polling units visited in Ikwo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    The supplementary elections are taking palace in some constituencies in the seven affected LGAs in Ebonyi, including Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo and Ivo.

    The election is being conducted in Ikwo to elect the representative for Ikwo North constituency in Ebonyi House of Assembly.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the elections inconclusive in the areas due to violence and irregularities.

    In Ndiogadoshi playground, polling unit 017 ward 02 in Ikwo Local Government Area, NAN reports that INEC officials arrived with materials at 9:25 a.m.

    In Ugbodo village hall and Olua playground, INEC Officials were present but voter turnout was low.

    An INEC official, who spoke in anonymity, told NAN that accreditation was on going smoothly but worried by the apathy among voters.

    “The BVAS is working well and accreditation is ongoing,” the official added.

    Some eligible voters cited indifference among other things, as reason for their lack of interest in the process.

    Mrs. Joy Nwanchor, a trader, said she could not have interest any more after the general elections.

    “The voting is just a waste of time and energy because the votes do not count in anyway in this country, Nigeria. So, no need for me queueing for voting,” Nwanchor stated.

    Another voter, Mr Sunday Chukwu, also expressed worry over the election processes, pointing out that there was need to revamped electoral body if we want to have credible and reliable elections in the country.

    “I cannot go out because the last elections were not encouraging. Whether I vote or not a winner will emerge,” Chukwu added.