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Tag: Gov. Hope Uzodimma

  • South-East’s interests best secured under APC – Uzodimma

    South-East’s interests best secured under APC – Uzodimma

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) offers the best platform to protect and advance the interests of the Southeast region. Speaking at a meeting of Southeast APC leaders held in Enugu, Uzodimma urged party stakeholders to intensify grassroots mobilization by highlighting the benefits of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    The gathering, aimed at strengthening the party’s influence in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections, included prominent Southeast figures such as Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, among others.

    Uzodimma, who also chairs the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), told reporters after the meeting that regional integration into the ruling party would position the Southeast closer to national power structures. He emphasized that embracing the APC would increase the region’s access to political influence and developmental benefits.

    Citing the presence of top government officials from the Southeast within the APC—such as governors, legislators, and ministers—Uzodimma said the region is already making significant inroads. He stressed the importance of unity among Southeast APC leaders, calling for tolerance and cooperation to build a stronger political front.

    “We have resolved to treat the Southeast as one political family, overlook our differences, and work together towards common goals,” he said.

  • Aviation unions blacklist Imo flights nationwide over attack on NLC president, Ajaero

    Aviation unions blacklist Imo flights nationwide over attack on NLC president, Ajaero

    Following the attack of Joe Ajaero, the president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo state last week Wednesday, Aviation unions in Nigeria have directed their workers to withdraw services to all public and private Owerri flights (both inwards and outwards) with effect from Wednesday midnight.

    The unions said the strike is indefinite until otherwise directed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

    The unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

    The directive by the aviation unions was in compliance with the joint session National Executive Council (NEC) session of the NLC and the TUC on Tuesday.

    Recall that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero was attacked in Owerri, the Imo State capital, last Wednesday just before a planned protest in the state to press the state government to heed the demands of the workers in the state.

    The NLC and the TUC had since ordered shutdown of essential services in Imo as protest for the attack on Ajaero and declared a nationwide strike effective November 14, 2023.

    In a strike notice to aviation workers on Wednesday, the five bodies ordered their members to withdraw services to all inwards and outwards Owerri flights.

    The strike notice was co-signed by NUATE General Secretary, Ocheme Aba; ATSSSAN Deputy General Secretary, Frances Akinjole; ANAP Secretary General, AbdulRasaq Saidu; NAAPE Deputy General Secretary, Umoh Ofonime; and AUPCTRE General Secretary, Sikiru Waheed.

    The statement reads: “In addition, the person of Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State is hereby declared persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he purges himself of bestial tendencies. Our unions will make further efforts through our international affiliations to blacklist Hope Uzodimma worldwide.” “Furthermore, all aviation workers in Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri are hereby directed to stay at home, also with effect from midnight today (08/11/2023) as directed by NLC and TUC.

    “By this notice, the airports’ managements, airlines operating into and out of Owerri, intending airport passengers into and out of Owerri, and the general public are hereby advised about this situation so as to be forewarned.”

     

  • Nigerian varsity students disgrace Gov Uzodinma over assault on NLC President, Ajaero

    Nigerian varsity students disgrace Gov Uzodinma over assault on NLC President, Ajaero

    Students of the Imo State University (IMSU) booed Governor Hope Uzodinma when he visited the institution for his campaign, as they continued chanting “no light, no light” as the governor mounted the rostrum.

    According to trending videos on Tuesday, the students refused to grant audience to the governor after the electricity workers cut off the power supply to the institution for four days.

    “Uzodinma went to the Imo State University to speak to the students and campaign.

    After mounting the rostrum, we started shouting ‘no light”, because we have not had light for the past 4 to 5 days,” a student narrated.

     

    “This is because electricity workers went on strike over the assault on NLC president, Joe Ajaero,” another student said.

    The state will be electing its next governor on Saturday in a contest which is already generating controversies due to the activities of the police, other security operatives and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC.)

    Recall last Wednesday that operatives of the Nigerian Police Force arrested Ajaero while organising a rally to protest against stalled wage payments for workers in the state.

    It was also reported that the NLC confirmed its President, Comrade Ajaero was thoroughly brutalised and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri with his right eye completely shut.

    The NLC’s Head of Information and Publicity, Comrade Benson Upah, had described the arrest and assault suffered by Ajaero as “attempted murder”.

    But reacting to the incident, Governor Uzodinma, who is facing a reelection on November 11, had claimed that the NLC President was attacked because he was meddling in the state’s politics.

    Uzodimma who spoke to journalists after receiving the All Progressives Congress’ flag from President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, said he stopped the NLC’s national leadership from dissolving the Imo State chapter of the Congress.

    “What has happened in this ugly coincidence is that the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress is from Imo State and has not been able to demarcate the difference between being a national leader of an organisation and then an interested party in local politics,” he said.

    He had said, “I understand the sensitivity of this event (protest). But I want you people to be careful because there is an attempt to mix up partisan politics or an attempt to blackmail my government.

    “I can tell you that my people are already aware; that was why the NLC Imo State chapter addressed a world press conference that what their national leadership is doing is not correct and that they are not going to embark on any strike or protest.

    “In the process, they decided to dissolve them to put in a caretaker. Of course, I’m the Chief Security Officer and I have a responsibility to intervene. I encourage the national leadership not to dissolve a management team that their tenure has not expired, and that was what they did.”

  • Gov Uzodimma visits scene of attack on security forces

    Gov Uzodimma visits scene of attack on security forces

    Governor Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday visited the scene of an attack on security operatives in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, hours after the incident.

    The governor also commiserated with the families of the deceased, assuring Imo indigenes of the government’s efforts in combating criminal it in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com earlier reported that members of  joint security task force team comprising the police, army, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) agents were reportedly ambushed and killed by gunmen.

    The incident was said to have occurred in the Umualumaku community.

    According to the villagers, the task force was on patrol in two security trucks when they were ambushed by the gunmen, who set their trucks ablaze around the Oriagu and Aba Branch areas of the community.

  • Tinubu to attend UNGA with 6 governors, 7 ministers

    Tinubu to attend UNGA with 6 governors, 7 ministers

    Six Governors, seven ministers and some senior aides will accompany President Bola Tinubu to the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America (USA).

    Tinubu is scheduled to depart for New York, the U.S. on Sunday.

    A statement on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, gave a detailed outline of President Tinubu’s plans in New York, including various sidelines businesses and bilateral meetings.

    The statement reads in part: “President Tinubu will be accompanied by Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Uba Sani of Kaduna State; AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    “Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of the Economy & Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Mohammed Pate; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.

    “The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other senior government officials will also be present.”

    The theme of this year’s UNGA is: “Rebuilding trust and Reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.”

    On September 19, the first day of the High-Level General Debate of the 78th UNGA Session, President Tinubu will deliver his inaugural National Statement.

    Before engaging in the General Debate, the President will join other world leaders to participate in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (UN 2023 Summit on SDGs).

    President Tinubu’s address will encompass several issues, such as sustainable development, climate change, global cooperation, and the imperative to address inequalities and global humanitarian crises.

    Additionally, President Tinubu is slated to participate in the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development; High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response; UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit; High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage; High-Level Panel on Reform of the Global Financial Architecture, amongst others.

    In New York, President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders, including the Presidents of the European Union Commission, Brazil, and South Africa, amongst others.

    The President will also advance his economic development agenda for aggressive investment attraction in meetings with the global leadership of transnational firms, such as Microsoft, Meta Technologies, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, and others.

    Furthermore, on the margins of UNGA, President Tinubu will detail emerging cross-sectoral investment opportunities in Nigeria in his address to American business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

     

  • Imo PDP alleges Uzodinma behind attack on its Reps candidate, Ugochinyere

    Imo PDP alleges Uzodinma behind attack on its Reps candidate, Ugochinyere

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has alleged that the Governor Hope Uzodinma administration was behind attack on its House of Representatives candidate, Chief Ikenga Ugochinyere on Saturday.

    The PDP therefore is alerting the security Agencies, Nigerians, the International Community to what it described as sponsored killings and arson which happened at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the Party’s candidate for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in the 2023 election.

    Chief Ugochinyere’s home was attacked in the afternoon on Saturday where there was shooting for nearly 30 minutes with an undisclosed number of persons reportedly killed including an uncle of the politician, buildings and a number of vehicles razed in the process.

    The PDP in Imo State however, described the unfortunate incident as “a well-coordinated armed attack at the Akokwa residence of Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the candidate of our Party for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.”

    Collins Opurozor, the Imo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP said in a statement
    that there was an earlier attack on the convoy of the candidate “by clearly-identified agents of the Imo State Government”.

    While the attack lasted, the PDP feared for the worse.

    Opurozor said: “Our efforts to get back to our candidate, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who was present at his residence when this attack began and who had personally alerted us to the attack, has proven abortive.

    “However, a torrent of messages, a while ago, from Ikenga’s close aides bore some deeply pathetic lines like: “Everywhere is on fire! They are killing us! We are going going!”

    Imo PDP therefore called on security agencies to immediately intervene and quell the attack on its candidate and it’s Party members at his residence in Akokwa.

    The Imo State PDP Spokesperson said: “Nigerians and international community are to recall that on December 23, 2022, there was an attack on the convoy of our candidate by clearly-identified agents of the Imo State Government.

    “It is shocking that despite our demand for the arrest and prosecute of those involved in that onslaught, nothing has been done by the security till this moment.

    “Today represents a dark day for us in Imo PDP and Imo State at large.”

  • Ignore Uzodimma at your own peril – Tinubu to South-East leaders

    Ignore Uzodimma at your own peril – Tinubu to South-East leaders

    Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, has told business and political leaders in the South-East to ignore Imo’s Gov. Hope Uzodimma at their own peril.

    Tinubu spoke in Owerri on Thursday at a town hall meeting with South-East private sector drivers, including manufacturers, investors, traders, entrepreneurs and artisans.

    He expressed delight over Uzodimma’s developmental strides and called on Nigerians to join hands with him and the APC to bring prosperity and renewed hope to the country.

    Tinubu called on all people of goodwill to vote for progress and to be part of the nation’s golden future and never to allow those who put the country backwards to come back again.

    Tinubu emphasised that Nigerians had the resources and the capacity to move forward as against incessant lamentation.

    ”I am coming to serve the people and not to be their boss. I brought progressive governance and forward-looking government and not the type that will take Nigerians backwards, ” he said.

    Tinubu encouraged the business community to continue to support him, adding that if elected president, he would create an enabling environment that would make their businesses more prosperous.

    “We will develop a code that when activated, will make their goods and services easy on the roads of Nigeria,” he said.

    In his remarks, Uzodimma said the reason for the town hall meeting was for the business leaders to interrogate some of the challenges and issues they were facing in their businesses, for provisions to be made in the APC candidate’s manifesto.

    Also, the National Chairman of APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, said he came as a witness to what the stakeholders meeting of businessmen and women with their presidential candidate in the South-East would do with the interface.

    He described the meeting as strategic, adding that it was “organized for a unique people, the business group who are the major drivers of the nation’s economy”.

    newsmen reports that the meeting was also attended by Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and his Ebonyi colleague, among others.

  • 2023 Elections: APC ‘ll triumph in South-East – Uzodimma

    2023 Elections: APC ‘ll triumph in South-East – Uzodimma

    Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo state, says the All Progressives Congress (APC), will triumph in the South-East in the 2023 general election, because it is the only party with structures in all the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country.

    Uzodimma, also the Chairman of APC Presidential Campaign Council in the South-East, said this at a seminar organised by the party for its candidates in Owerri.

    ”APC is already winning and will win in the South-East because APC is the only political party that has party structure at the polling units and booths in all 774 LGAs of the country, “ he said.

    Uzodimma said that the seminar was aimed at planning for a successful electioneering campaign for 2023 poll.
    “The participants must carry others along as they cannot lead or win elections in isolation,” he said.

    He said that the South-East has every cause to appreciate what President Muhammadu Buhari has done for the zone in his almost eight years as the President of Nigeria.

    He listed the president’s achievements in the South-East to include the second Niger Bridge and the rehabilitation of the Federal Highways in the zone.

    Others were the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta LGA of Imo as well as the on-going reconstruction of 200 bed hospital at Imo University Teaching Hospital Orlu by NNPC, among others.

    He cautioned members of the party against deceit by groups who often claim to support the South-East Presidency after they failed to support aspirants from the zone at the presidential primaries of the APC.

    “The Igbo people have been a victim of mistaken identity. There is the need for the South-East to take their destiny in their own hands because if you don’t say I am, nobody will say you are,” he said.

    Newsmen reports that the seminar was attended by executives and members of the APC across the South-East as well as present and former political office holders of the party.

  • We’ll have a consensus at the end through our leader President Buhari – Uzodinma

    APC’s convention planning committee chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma has given indications that the party would come up with a consensus candidate before the primaries proper later on Tuesday.

    Senator Uzodinma was speaking in an interview with Channels TV on the convention ground in Abuja.

    According to the Imo State Governor, it is in the character of the APC to have a gentleman agreement and come up with one person to contest elections and expressed belief that the current effort to produce a sellable and generally acceptable candidate would succeed.

    ALSO READ: Just In: Buhari summons Uzodinma, Power Minister, Economic Adviser

    He described President Muhammadu Buhari as a capable leader who can steer the party’s ship to safety and in the end, give the party a candidate that would win for it in next year’s election.

    He refused to commit to whether there was someone already being favoured above others, saying his responsibility at the exercise is to ensure a hitch free process.

    Meanwhile, aspirants from the South-East have written a letter to the President Muhammadu Buhari to allow the South-East produce the next presidential candidate of the party.

    The aspirants urged Buhari to intervene during the convention for “proper guidance”.

    The letter was signed by Ikeobasi Mokelu, former ministers of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; state for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, and Mrs. Ken Uju-Ohanenye.

    Senator Rochas Okorocha was listed among signatories but didn’t append his signature.

    Read full letter:

    We the undersigned, who are aspirants to the Office of President on the platform of our party the APC. write to commend your fatherly leadership of our country and our party.

    2. We also commend your unequivocal approval of the position of the 14 Progressive governors from Northern Nigeria, to ensure that your successor is elected from the southern part of Nigeria.

    We also commend the governors for this patriotic and unifying stand. United we stand – Our unity in diversity has been the rallying point of all patriots.

    3. Your Excellency. we most humbly request that this position of our brothers from the North be deepened and made even more wholesome by further zoning this position to the South-East.

    4. We are all aware that no President can emerge without the support of various geopolitical zones and without the express collaboration of our brothers and sisters from other zones of Nigeria.

    5. With our Convention at hand, your kind directive for the deepening of unity in diversity, championed by our founding fathers solely on the basis of strengthening national unity and cohesion and for rousing victory at the 2023 elections are stated objectives in your speeches to the Progressive governors forum, the APC aspirants dinner and the meeting of APC stakeholders.

    6. Furthermore. we are humbly requesting that you consider and pick your chosen candidate from the South-East aspirants in line with your stated objectives of handing over to trusted party loyalists.

    7. We humbly seek your Excellency’s prompt and kind intervention to enable the party delegates to assume proper guidance.

    8. Please accept as always. our continuing loyalty and assurances of our esteem regards and obedience to whichever candidate your Excellency deems fit and appropriate to adopt as the candidate of the part

  • Planned Security Conference: Gov. Uzodimma sets up committee

    Planned Security Conference: Gov. Uzodimma sets up committee

    A security committee has been set up by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo state ahead of a planned security conference in the state.

    This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba, on Wednesday during a news conference on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Owerri.

    Emelumba said the committee would be headed by the Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechwukwu Ugorji.

    He said the governor also set up another committee, headed by the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Obiageri Ajoku, to work out modalities for the inspection and construction of modern abattoirs in the state.

    “The committee is to visit the Somachi Abattoir to examine the sanitary conditions and determine whether it was fit as a place where animals are slaughtered for public consumption,” he said.

    According to him, the committee is expected to work out the needs of meat dealers and consumers, in consideration of the construction of modern abattoirs.

    Emelumba also expressed the executive council’s delight over the performance of the state’s para-athletes at the recently concluded first-ever National Para-Sports Games in Abuja.

    “The executive council was delighted to note that the Imo contingent for this year’s para games came sixth overall in the country and first in the South East, winning a total of 59 medals.

    “Out of this, 16 gold, 25 silver and 18 bronze were won.

    “His Excellency has graciously agreed to host them at a close date to appreciate them and encourage future athletes to do better.

    ” It is a thing of joy that they made the state and the people proud by coming tops at the competition,” he said.

    Emelumba stated with delight, Gov. Uzodimma’s donation of some trailer loads of textbooks to primary, secondary and tertiary schools to help facilitate quality education in the state.

    “EXCO frowned at the continued appropriation of government land and property by unscrupulous elements, conniving with agencies of government, particularly those in the ministries.

    “Government warns that those doing so, are doing so at their own risk, because the process of automation of these lands are ongoing.

    “Once completed, all the lands taken through forgery of Certificate of Occupancy will be recovered and those involved punished accordingly,” he added.

    He said the massive road construction campaign which had recorded much progress, in spite of the raining season, had been the hallmark of the Uzodimma led-administration.

    Emelumba assured the people of the state that the campaign across the state would be sustained in spite of rains, especially on MCC and Egbu roads.