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Tag: Ebonyi

  • PDP suspension: I proudly supported APC candidate in Ebonyi – Anyim

    PDP suspension: I proudly supported APC candidate in Ebonyi – Anyim

    A former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim,  says he proudly supported the APC candidate, Chief Francis Nwifuru to win the March 18 governorship election in Ebonyi.

    Anyim made the assertion on Friday while reacting to his suspension alongside others by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) over alleged anti-party activities.

    Anyim in a statement he signed, stated that he had no regrets supporting the APC candidate because it conformed with the existing power-rotation formular in the state.

    “The NWC imposed a candidate who is from the same sentaorial district with the incumbent governor,  contrary to the zoning formular in the state.

    “Every effort made for the NWC to see reasons fell on deaf ears.

    “I told the party’s national chairman on the day of our presidential rally in Ebonyi that I will boycott it because I cannot support a candidate the NWC imposed on the state.

    “He said nothing and did not care that I did not attend the rally,” he said.

    The former secretary to the government of the federation said that arising from the leadership style of the NWC, many party members worked against it including the committee’s members.

    “It is,  therefore, a display of innate cowardice for the NWC to choose soft targets to suspend and fear those who daily demonise it.

    “It is difficult to explain why the NWC is in a hurry to suspend party leaders without recourse to fair hearing without which its action is null and void.

    “It smacks arrogance for the NWC to put a bold face instead of showing remorse and being sober for leading the party to such colossal loss in the elections.

    “This loss ultimately dashed the hopes and expectations of party members and Nigerians,” he said.

    Anyim described the NWC’s action as disappointing,  noting that its concern could had been how to embark on self appraisal.

    “I thought the NWC could had been interested in undertaking a thorough appraisal on why it performed so poorly in the election.

    “This should had been the case rather than seek to further divide the party through blames,” he added.

  • “We cannot emulate the tactics of the APC regime” – Ebonyi PDP gov candidate says

    “We cannot emulate the tactics of the APC regime” – Ebonyi PDP gov candidate says

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election in Ebonyi State, Dr Ifeanyi Odii, has rejected the outcome of the polls as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, saying “we cannot emulate the tactics of the APC regime.”

    In the governorship poll, INEC announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Francis Nwifuru, winner of the election.

    But Odii, in a statement, described the outcome of the exercise as “broad day robbery of the peoples mandate,” in the state.

    He said, “I thank you for your show of support in coming out to vote en-masse in the March 18 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections. I remain grateful for your goodwill and belief in our mission to recover Ebonyi state
    “I am saddened by the numerous reports of loss of lives, damage to property and injury to voters and citizens recorded all over the state.

    “The Saturday elections have once again exposed the magnitude of our security and governance challenges in Ebonyi State, which has become a standard under the APC-led regime. Undemocratic forces seeking to capture the soul of our society are afraid to face the people in a free and fair election, so they use violence and intimidation to impose their agenda. We cannot allow this unfolding pattern of ‘governance by violence’ to become our new reality.

    “I am a man of peace, and violence is not associated with my personality. Events might not be going the way we would like them to, but we must remain calm and look for solutions within the law. We cannot emulate the tactics of the APC regime.

    “Though victory may be delayed, it cannot be denied. The people’s mandate remains our mission. We will not be deterred. The Promise of Possibility remains alive and strong. By the grace of God, the will of the people shall prevail.”

  • INEC declares Nwifuru of APC as Ebonyi governor-elect

    INEC declares Nwifuru of APC as Ebonyi governor-elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abakaliki on Monday, declared APC’s governorship candidate, Mr Francis Nwifuru as winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    The INEC’s State Collation Officer, Prof. Charles Igwe, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN) declared Nwifuru as the winner having satisfied the electoral act.

    Igwe said that Nwifuru polled 199, 131 votes to win the poll.

    According to him, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected by the Returning Officer.

    He said that the Prof. Bernard Odoh of APGA, polled  52,189 to emerge second, while Dr Ifeanyi Odii of the PDP, polled 80,191 votes.

    He said that the total number of accredited votes was 350,345, out of the 1,597,646 registered votes in the state.

    He added that the total votes cast was 349,941, valid vote, 342,554, while the rejected votes stood at 7,387.

    The governor-elect won in 10 out of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, while the APGA candidate won in two LGAs and the PDP candidate one.

    Nwifuru would be the fourth executive governor of the 27 year-old state.

  • Ebonyi: PDP’s Pius Anyim declares support for APC’s guber candidate

    Ebonyi: PDP’s Pius Anyim declares support for APC’s guber candidate

    Former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on Wednesday, declared his support for the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, Chief Francis Nwifuru.

    The stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared his support for the APC candidate at Ishiagu, his hometown in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    He told newsmen that it was based on existing charter of equity in the state.

    The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation said he supported Nwifuru who is from the northern senatorial district because it was the district’s turn to govern the state.

    “I believe in the rotation of the gubernatorial seat to the three districts for equity and justice.

    “I have longed believed in this principle and cannot back down on it.

    “I fought for it at the national level in the PDP and have to do so in my state,’’ he said.

  • Gunmen shoot ward councillor to death in Ebonyi

    Gunmen shoot ward councillor to death in Ebonyi

    Police in Ebonyi on Sunday in Abakaliki confirmed Saturday’s killing of a councillor, Mr Ogbonnaya Ugwu.

    Spokesman of the police, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, told NAN that investigation had started to track the killers so as to bring them to book.

    A resident said that the councillor, representing Echara Ward 2 in Okposi Community, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi was killed at a revelling joint while returning from his shop.

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi has also condemned the murder.

    Its spokesman, Mr Charles Otu, stated on Sunday in Abakaliki that incessant killings in the state were condemnable and urged security agencies to act fast.

    “We in APGA Ebonyi Campaign Council strongly condemn the murder. This is another senseless killing of a vibrant Ebonyi youth.

    “While we sincerely sympathise with the family of the deceased, our campaign council charges the government to unravel the killers.

    “We are aware that there had been several shootings by unidentified gunmen especially at night in Okposi and in many other communities in the state.

    “No stone should be left unturned to apprehend and bring to book, this murderous gang that has been terrorising Okposi, Ohaozara and the entire state,’’ Otu advised.

  • “I have never lost a battle” – Umahi reacts to senatorial victory

    “I have never lost a battle” – Umahi reacts to senatorial victory

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he has never lost a “battle” in life as God always sees him through challenges and adversities.

    Umahi made the assertion on Tuesday in Abakaliki while officially reacting to his victory in the Ebonyi south senatorial district election held on Feb. 25.

    The governor said it could had been an albatross for people of the district if he was not elected because Nigerians could have asked questions.

    “The southern district should count itself lucky that I emerged because certain things are beyond politics.

    “What excuse could they have given for not sending me to the senate to further fight for them and the entire state.

    “Everyone in Nigeria has acknowledged the miracles in Ebonyi so why should the people not reciprocate with gratitude?” he queried.

    He, however, remarked that such upliftments were not by his power but God’s special grace upon him.

    “Whoever God has lifted cannot be brought down as he still taught me a lesson by allowing voting manipulations against me.

    “God showed that what I did in Ebonyi could not guarantee me victory but his special grace.

    “He allowed scheming to play out but still gave me victory at the end.

    “He taught me to depend wholly on Him and though I always do so, it seemed I haven’t done so enough,” he said.

    Umahi said in addition to the victory, the interest of Ebonyi is uppermost in his agenda.

    “I worked immediately after the election, currently prepared for work as I speak and will work till the last day in office.

    “It is what one has done for the people that will matter at the end and not the noise made,” he said.

  • Ebonyi PDP Governorship: Appeal Court Dismisses Suit against Chukwuma Ifeanyi’s candidacy

    Ebonyi PDP Governorship: Appeal Court Dismisses Suit against Chukwuma Ifeanyi’s candidacy

    The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday, dismissed a fresh appeal challenging the nomination of Chukwuma Ifeanyi as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi in the March 11 Governorship election.

    The appellate court dismissed the suit filed by Tochukwu Okorie, on the grounds that it constituted a gross abuse of court processes.

    Justice Adebukola Banjoko, who read the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel also affirmed the N5 million fine imposed on the appellant’s lawyer for engaging in court abuse.

    Okorie had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP before the Court of Appeal challenging the nomination of Ifeanyi.

    Also, praying for the setting aside of a default judgment he secured at the Federal High Court in Abakaliki.

    A Federal High Court judge in Abakaliki, Justice Fatun Fiman had on February 1, 2023, in a suit number: FHC/ABJ/ CS/1696/2022, filed by Okorie against INEC and PDP set aside an earlier decision of the same court which was granted in favour of the plaintiff.

    Justice Riman set aside all reliefs granted in favour of Okorie upon becoming aware that the plaintiff (Okorie) grossly suppressed material fact.

    This is especially, the final judgment of the Supreme Court on the same subject matter to secure the default judgment.

    Dissatisfied with the setting aside of the judgment, Okorie had approached the Appellate Court in Abuja praying that all the reliefs granted him by the Federal court in Abakaliki be restored to him.

    His request was, however, vehemently opposed by the PDP through its counsel, Mr. Chris Uche, SAN.

    Uche informed the court that the Supreme Court had in its judgment last year settled all issues relating to the nomination of the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ebonyi.

    Specifically, the senior advocate informed the Court of Appeal that the Apex Court affirmed Chukwuma Ifeanyi as the governorship candidate.

    He also told the appellate court that the Federal High Court in Abakaliki reversed the default judgment in line with the provisions of the law.

    The law on suppression of fact and pleaded with the Court of Appeal to dismiss the case of the appellant.

    In her judgment, Justice Banjoko agreed with the PDP counsel that the appellant was in gross abuse of court processes with multiple cases over the same subject matter.

    Banjoko specifically held that the fresh case by Okorie was an affront to the final decision of the Supreme Court on the Ebonyi PDP governorship ticket tussle.

    The appellate court thereafter dismissed the appeal and affirmed the N5 million fine imposed on counsel to the appellant.

    The Supreme Court had on Sept. 14, 2022, in an appeal marked: SC/CV/939/2022, affirmed Chukwuma Ifeanyi as the lawful governorship candidate of the PDP.

    Ifeanyi having emerged from a primary election conducted by the National Working Committee of the PDP.

    The Apex Court had struck out the appeal filed by a factional governorship aspirant, Sen. Obinna Ogba on the grounds that the issue of nomination of candidates for election is a domestic affairs of political parties.

    Reacting to the latest judgment, Chief Uche admonished lawyers to always counsel their clients against engaging in abuse of court process.

  • Umahi talks tough on spate of attacks, killings in Ebonyi

    Umahi talks tough on spate of attacks, killings in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has expressed worry over the incessant attacks and killings in the state by political thugs, warning those involved to desist from such unlawful and heinous acts.

    Umahi gave the warning on Sunday in Abakaliki during a state-wide Fasting and Prayer Service held by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and widows.

    The programme, in conjunction with Ebonyi State Government at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre in Abakaliki, was to pray towards the conduct of peaceful elections.

    The governor decried the growing spate of political violence in various communities, saying he would consider banning commercial motorcycle operations in the state.

    Umahi noted that there was need for security agencies to be furnishing the government with information in its effort to check instances of security breaches for action.

    According to him, all hands must be on deck, by council chairmen, traditional rulers and the residents to move Ebonyi forward by ensuring lasting peace and stability in the state.

    “I have learnt that most of the kilings are being carried out by motorcycle operators.

    “Well, for this, I may consider the banning of motorcycle anywhere in the state until after election,” the governor said.

    On cash crunch, he urged security agencies to ensure the safety of customers and financial institutions.

    Earlier, Rev Fr Abraham Nwali, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters, said there was a need for fasting and prayers for successful, peaceful and credible elections in the country.

    Nwali described peace as a great gift to humanity.

  • Umahi suspends Ebubeagu, inaugurates 2 new vigilance groups

    Umahi suspends Ebubeagu, inaugurates 2 new vigilance groups

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has suspended the operations of the state vigilance group, Ebubeagu, in deference to a Federal High Court ruling, which declared the security outfit as illegal.

    In its place, Umahi announced the setting up of two new vigilance outfits in the state.

    They are Ebonyi Neighborhood Watch and Ebonyi Vigilante Corps.

    A federal high court sitting in Abakaliki recently disbanded the Ebubeagu security outfit, ruling that its operations in Ebonyi were illegal.

    The state government through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Uchenna Orji,  however, said it would appeal the ruling.

    “The Ebubeagu security outfit will not function in the state until the stay of execution is granted and appeal entered.

    “This is in obedience to the rule of law; and whether it is good or bad for our people, it is the court’s judgement,” Umahi said.

    The governor recalled that a judgement from a court of equal jurisdiction had a month ago, restrained anyone from disbanding the Ebubeagu security outfit.

    “This means that I have two judgements on the same subject matter, as such the second one shouldn’t have been entertained due to an earlier decision on it.

    “I could have chosen which one to obey if I were not a lover of the judiciary, but has chosen to obey the latter.

    “When the stay of execution is granted, Ebubeagu will function again,” the governor said.

    He thanked the state House of Assembly for passing into law, two sets of vigilance outfits which processes commenced since 2021.

    “These outfits include the Ebonyi neighborhood watch patterned after such in Anambra and the Ebonyi vigilante corps patterned after Amotekun in the south west geo-political zone.

    “When Ebubeagu returns, they all should not infringe on the rights of the citizens.

    “None of them would be involved in the forthcoming general election and the public must note this,” he said.

    Umahi called on political parties in the state to carry out their activities with decorum and not heat up the polity as the election approaches.

    NAN reports that the broadcast was preceded by a security meeting between the governor and heads of security agencies in the state.

  • I’m qualified to head APC Campaign Council, says Umahi’s brother

    I’m qualified to head APC Campaign Council, says Umahi’s brother

    The Ebonyi Governor, Chief David Umahi’s younger brother, Austin, has said that he is eminently qualified to head the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in the state.

    The governor and his wife, Rachel, head the men and women wing of the council, respectively, while Austin is its Director General.

    He was reacting to public outcry over the fear about the possible overbearing influence his family would exact on the party’s Gubernatorial Candidate, Chief Francis Nwifuru, if elected.

    He dismissed the fear, saying that the governor merely replicated what obtained at the national level of the party, “in constituting the state’s campaign council”.

    He said: “The governor as a brother does not see my destiny and I have made sacrifices.

    “This sort of wicked insinuation made me not to occupy any position in the first and second tenure of this government.

    “All my siblings did not occupy positions but people are still writing.

    “I am exceedingly qualified to head the campaign council just as all its members are also qualified.

    “I am very close to Nwifuru as I am to the governor and was appointed his returning officer during the party’s primaries.

    “This will not be seen as overbearing because he appointed me and I am still going to be his returning officer at the polls.

    “I love him and must ensure he wins and if that is overbearing, let us achieve results,” Austin said.

    He said that the governor was not nursing any third term agenda because it is unconstitutional.

    “Such an insinuation is a product of junk journalism but ones legacies can outlive him.

    “The governor’s legacies would outlive him whether anyone likes it or not and it might be what people termed as third term,” he said.

    He further said that the party would win overwhelmingly because it had performed creditably to earn the people’s trust.