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Tag: Ikpeazu

  • ‘Stop assaulting Abia indigenes’ Ikpeazu warns Army

    Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has warned the Nigerian army against assaulting indigenes of the state.

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had clashed with soldiers during the Operation Python Dance in Abia State.There have been reports that soldiers were extorting indigenes and also arresting and torturing some of them.

    The governor urged the Commander of the 14 Brigade, Nigeria Army Ohafia, Brig.-Gen. Adul Ibrahim to monitor the soldiers.

    He said the state will not condone the abuse of human rights of indigenes.

    The statement read in part, “While the state government has always indicated its preparedness to cooperate with all security agencies in their lawful operations within the state, we shall not condone a situation where the presence of the Army in the state becomes a platform to (trample on) the human rights of our people and subject them to inhumane and degrading treatments without any lawful excuse.

    “The Government of Abia State shall no longer condone this unwarranted assault on the people of the state. Our people, as law-abiding citizens, deserve their basic freedom and fundamental rights to life, personal liberty and dignity of the human person.

    “These rights are guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the same law from which the Army derives its authority. These rights can only be tampered with in accordance with laid-down legal procedures and not according to the caprices of individual Army officers.”

  • BIAFRA: Gov Ikpeazu saved Nigeria from danger – Shettima

    The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has commended the wisdom and leadership exhibited by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in handling the recent security challenge in Abia State.

    Shettima stated this when he led a delegation of the Northern Governors to Abia State.
    He said Ikpeazu saved Nigeria from danger.

    The Chairman of the Northern Governors noted that the visit was to show solidarity to the state Governor who rose up to the occasion at a time when the country needed quality leadership during the face-off between the Nigerian Army and the Indigenous People of Biafra, led by Nnamdi Kanu.

    Shettima commended the declaration of curfew by Governor Ikpeazu in the heat of the crisis, which he said brought about peace and normalcy in the state.

    He said: “We are here to thank our brother, Governor Ikpeazu, for his leadership at a time when the nation needs quality leadership.
    “He rose to the occasion.

    “He saved the nation from danger.
    “I want to thank you on behalf of our colleagues.

    “We are here to thank the governor on behalf of the 19 Northern state governors for the leadership he exhibited in moments of crises.

    “We the leaders have a role to play in the peace and unity of this nation and leadership is about having perfection, it’s about symbolism.

    “We are here to show solidarity and encourage the leadership exhibited by our brother and brothers governors in the South East.

    “We are here also to address the Northern communities.

    “We do not want any mass exodus from any part of the country to the other.

    “In times of crisis and challenges, this our brother governor refused to toe the line of others but rose to the challenge of leadership.

    “He imposed curfew and that brought about a lot of sanity.”

    Shettima said the northern governors respect the unity of the nation, hence the need to ensure its indivisibility.
    The Borno State Governor said they are proud of Ndigbo because the Igbo race has what it takes to preserve the unity of the nation.

    He described Nigeria as the last hope of the black race and should try to remain indivisible at all cost.
    Shettima assured Igbos living in all the 19 northern states of their safety and urged them to go about their normal businesses without fear or favour.

    Ikpeazu, who who said he was humbled by the show of love and solidarity from his northern counterparts, revealed that he has drawn strength and energy from their visit.

    He said the visit demonstrates his faith in the indivisibility of the country, noting that the strings that binds the nation together is still intact.

    The Governor promised the safety of the lives and property of everyone living in Abia State.

    He noted that the sanctity of lives cannot be traded, hence the need to ensure lives are preserved.

    Ikpeazu thanked the governors for holding sway in their various states in the heat of the crisis.

    The delegation included Governors of Borno, Kashim Shettima; Kebbi, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu; Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal; Katsina, Aminu Masari; and Plateau, Simon Lalong.

  • Army/IPOB crisis: Ikpeazu extends curfew, postpones resumption of schools

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State on Friday extended the curfew imposed in the state capital till Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the dusk to dawn curfew was earlier scheduled to end on Friday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the curfew was imposed following violence between members of the pro-Biafra separatist group, IPOB, and soldiers in the state.

    According to a statement by Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the state government has also postponed the resumption of schools in the state.

    Primary and secondary schools in the state, initially scheduled to resume on September 18 will now resume on September 25.

    Read the full statement below:

    Further extension of curfew in Aba

    Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, wishes to express his appreciation to Abians and residents, particularly those living and doing business at Aba, for their support and cooperation during this trying period.

    For a commercial city that is also the economic hub of the state and the South East region, the effect of the socio-economic disruption at Aba is too massive to measure at this time and the Government fully appreciates all the sacrifices made to ensure early restoration of normalcy.

    We also wish to commend the efforts of the men and women of the security services currently working round the clock to restore law and order and safeguard lives and properties of law-abiding citizens and residents.

    After a profound review of the security situation across the state, we are compelled to extend the current curfew imposed on Aba to enable us to consolidate the peace and normalcy that is gradually returning to the city.

    The government is, therefore, seeking your continuing support and understanding for the further extension of the dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew at Aba to Sunday 17th of September 2017.

    Furthermore, in order to ensure the safety of our children and wards who were billed to resume school on the 18th of September 2017, we hereby direct that the resumption be postponed till the 25th of September 2017 across the state.

    It is our hope that all the measures taken so far will help to rapidly restore full normalcy to all areas of the state.

  • Army/IPOB clash: Ikpeazu declares three days curfew in Aba

    Sequel to recent attacks and counter attacks between the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and operatives of the Nigerian Army in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday declared a three days curfew to curtail the crisis.

    In a statement, the governor warned residents in the area to remain indoors from 6 pm to 6 am starting from Tuesday, September 12 until Thursday.

    See Full text of the statement:

    Abia State has for the past few days been the focus of security searchlight occasioned by the reported skirmish between some groups in the State, especially Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with men of the Nigerian Army.

    Government notes and has observed the frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara – Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now.

    Government is equally aware of the recent proclamation by the Nigerian Army of Operation Python Dance II within the South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria.

    The operation as declared by the Army is intended to check kidnapping, banditry, assassination, secessionist activities within the region, amongst other forms of criminal activities.

    The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB on Sunday, 10th September, 2017, could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.

    The Abia State Government unequivocally states that Abia is a component State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subscribes to the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other extant laws.

    While the Government of Abia State recognizes the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives.

    The Abia State Government is committed to the protection of the lives and properties of its citizens and others residing and doing business within the geographical entity called Abia State.

    Abians and others living within Abia, are advised to remain law abiding and carry on their lawful business without fear, as efforts by Government will be made to reduce friction between the civil populace and military personnel in the State.

    Meanwhile, Aba residents are advised to observe a curfew from 6pm to 6am from today 12/09/2017 to 14/09/2017.

    Persons residing within the State are strongly advised to remain law abiding, while going about their lawful business without fear of molestation, and, not engage in any form of confrontation with military personnel or other security agents.

    The Government recognizes the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Movement for all Nigerians but objects to the influx of people into Abia State for purposes of unsettling the enduring peace in the State.

    Finally, Abia State will co-operate with security agencies to maintain the rule of law and order in the State.

  • Ikpeazu’s Chief of Staff, Chijioke Nwakodo dies in London

    The Chief of Staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Chief Chijioke Nwakodo is dead.

    Nwakodo, 56, died in a London hospital on Thursday evening, his younger brother, Mr Obidike Nwakodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Umuahia.

    Nwakodo further said that the news of his death was communicated to the family on Thursday evening.

    He said that arrangements were on to formally convey the message of his death to the governor.

    NAN learnt that Nwakodo, a father of two, was appointed Chief of Staff to the governor on June 3, 2015.

    Nwakodo, a politician and businessman, was born on March 29, 1961.

    He was a one-time chairman of Umuahia North Local Government (1999 to 2002), where he was nicknamed “Zero allocation”.

    The deceased also served as the chief economic adviser to former Gov. Theodore Orji.

    When NAN visited his residence, his younger brother, Obidike, was seen receiving calls from sympathisers, who trickled into the house of the deceased to confirm his death and to offer sympathy.

     

  • Anambra 2017: PDP screens Oduah, Ubah, Ikpeazu for governorship poll

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday screened a serving senator, Stella Oduah; oil magnate, Dr. Patrick Ubah and House of Representatives member, Lynda Ikpeazu for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra.

    Also screened are Mr. John Okechukwu Emeka, Dr. Alex Obiogolu, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze and Mr. Akolisa Ufodike.

    The screening exercise, which took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, however witnessed a mild drama as the screening committee complained about indiscipline on the part of some aspirants.

    The Chairman of the screening committee, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, said it was unfortunate that some aspirants showed up at the venue 90 minutes behind schedule.

    Waziri, a former Minister of Police Affairs, named Oduah and Ubah as the late comers and expressed the committee’s displeasure at their action.

    He urged the aspirants to display the spirit of sportsmanship in the overall interest of the party, saying the PDP has everything to lose if another party wins the election.

    Waziri promised the aspirants justice and fairness in the conduct of the exercise, adding that in line with the PDP constitution, none of the aspirants would be required to pay above the N6 million nomination fees.

    According to him, the party decided to waive the fees for women aspirants to encourage them to take active interest in partisan politics.

    Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the PDP would be welcoming some of its high profile defectors back to the party in the days ahead.

    Okowa stated this while inspecting the Eagles Square, Abuja, venue for the party’s national convention slated for Saturday.

    He said necessary arrangements had been put in place.

    The governor said: “We just came to see what is on ground. I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control. We are not expecting any hitches at all.

    “We are doing very well as a party and as a committee. In this kind of planning, you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for everyone. We are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday.

    The Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, assured members of the party that the disagreements in the South West zone of the PDP have been resolved.

    He said: “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.”

     

  • Ikpeazu dissolves cabinet, retains chief of staff, two commissioners

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State on Friday dissolved his entire cabinet leaving just two commissioners in office.

    Those he retained are Commissioners of Finance, Obinna Oriaku and Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Umeh Kalu.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the governor also sacked his personal aides including all Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistant.​

    The Chief of Staff retains his position but the S​ecretary to the State Government, Dr Eme Okoro was also removed.

    The sack is with immediate effect.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that no reason was given by the governor for the action.

     

  • Supreme Court Victory: I have forgiven my detractors – Ikpeazu

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State whose election was affirmed earlier in the day at the Supreme Court has said he has forgiven his political opponents after distracting him with litigation that lasted for about two years.

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, shortly after the Supreme Court reaffirmed him as governor on Friday, following a case filed by Dr. Uche Ogah, challenging his candidacy under the platform of thePeoples Democratic Party, Ikpeazu said he now expected all Abians including his political opponents to join hands with him to move the state forward.

    He said, “The time for politics is long over, and I have forgiven all those that were bent on distracting me. Let all well-meaning Abians, including my opponents, come and join us to grow and develop our state without distractions as we ultimately have stakes in the growth and development of our state and people.

    “Today, there is work to do in Abia and history will judge us by how much of that work we do, not by how much of politics we play. My doors are open to all, my ears are open to hearing and my eyes are strong enough to read suggestions on how we can best deliver greater dividends to those who really matter.”

  • Ikpeazu approves new salary structure for ABSUTH Workers

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has approved implementation of a new salary structure for workers of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba.

    Mr Samuel Kalu, Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), ABSUTH Chapter, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Aba on Friday.

    Kalu said the workers applauded Ikpeazu for approving the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.

    He said that the union’s struggle for the implementation of the salary scale in Abia began in 2011.

    ABSUTH workers even ,lembarked on strike on Dec. 19, 2016 to demand the implementation of new salary scale, payment of three years pension arrears to its pensioners and refund cooperative deductions to staff.

    He said that Ikpeazu’s good gesture toward ABSUTH had finally erased the six years of salary scale disparity existing within the institution.

    Kalu also said the deductions had been released and the pensioners paid one month arrears pending verification to enable them get their pay cheques.

    Kalu, therefore, urged staff of the institution who had not heard of the resumption to return and participate in the ongoing personnel audit to enable them get paid.

    “We are grateful to Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for giving this approval. We are equally grateful to the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku, he is a good man.

    “We equally thank our Chief Medical Director, who led us to that fight and pleaded greatly on behalf of the workforce. We are really grateful to them,” Kalu said.

  • Abia guber tussle: S’Court grants Otti leave to appeal Ikpeazu’s victory

    The Supreme Court on Friday granted leave to Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to be joined as an interested party to challenge the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia state.

    Justice Clara Ogunbiyi led four other justices to arrive at the unanimous decision.

    “The appellant applicant appeal challenging the August 5, 2016 judgment of the lower court has merit.

    “The appeal is predicated on grounds of mixed law and facts and therefore, this court is compelled to grant it in the interest of justice.

    “In the circumstance, the August 5, 2016 decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which refused to grant the applicant the permission to be joined in the pending Abia governorship suit is set aside.

    “The prayer of the appellant urging this court consider his appeal against Gov. Ikpeazu Okezie is hereby deemed as filed before this court,’’ she said.

    Ogubiyi also held that granting this leave for the applicant to appeal the decision of the lower court on the matter did not mean that the appeal could succeed.

    “The law has established that once an application is challenging a matter on mixed law and facts, justice demands that he or she must be heard,’’ she said.

    Justice Dati Yahaya, who presided over the case at the lower court, had ruled that Otti failed to establish his interest in the internal affairs of the PDP.

    Yahaya also held that the applicant failed to give circumstantial reasons to sway the court to exercise its judicial discretion in his favour.

    Among others, the court held that the applicant failed to transmit the proceedings of the trial court to the Court of Appeal, where his interest was supposed to be established.

    According to the judge, Otti merely relied on affidavit depositions and that allowing the applicant to join the dispute would amount to attempt to change the nature of the suit from an intra-party to an inter party tussle.