TheNewsGuru

Tag: Imo State

  • INEC cancels federal constituency rerun election in A’Ibom

    INEC cancels federal constituency rerun election in A’Ibom

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cancelled the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency rerun election in Akwa Ibom due to violence.

    The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Cyril Omorogbe, said this when he addressed newsmen in his office in Uyo on Saturday.

    Omoregbe said the election was cancelled in all the 17 polling units as a result of reported snatching of election materials, including Bi-Modal Voters Accreditation Machine System (BIVAS) and others.

    “I just want to give a brief update on what has happened today, in the case of the rerun election.

    “The fact is that we had about four Local Government Areas (LGAs) where we conducted election and one major one was of them was the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.

    “We were there this morning early enough at about 8:30 a.m, polling units were opened. A couple of hours after we opened the polls, I received a call that BIVAS machines were hijacked.

    “So, I knew from then that we were in for a tough time. Two hours after that, I received another report that was not good. So, the rerun election in Ikono/Ini federal constituency has been cancelled,” he said.

    Omoregbe added:“ I received reports from the Collation Officers that supposed to collate the result in the area, that election did not hold.

    “The whole exercise in those 17 polling units were marred by violence as materials were either hijacked, disrupted, or people were being chased, among other things of that nature.

    “From the Collation Officers in the field who were supposed to collate, they all came back and had written reports, and the result sheets they supposed to fill are all here. Apparently, there was no election for now.

    “On the other constituency of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, I am still expecting to hear from them, but I believe at this point things went well. Perhaps, in the next couples of hours, the result will be declared.”

    The REC said the commission would take a decision on the matter after a meeting in Abuja.

  • Uzodimma secures APC guber ticket for second tenure

    Uzodimma secures APC guber ticket for second tenure

    Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo on Friday secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket for his second term bid.

    Uzodinma, who was the sole contender in the primary election that took place in Owerri, polled 63,618 valid votes.

    The Chairman of the seven-member 2023 Governorship Primary Election Committee, Rear Adm. Williams Kayoda (rtd.), said that 64,667 delegates from the 305 wards of the 27 Local Government Areas were accredited for the poll.

    Kayoda said that the exercise was conducted in compliance with the party’s Constitution, 2022 Electoral Act (as amended), the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the guidelines provided by the national leadership of the party.

    “During our short stay, we appointed ward and local government area committees for the purposes of the election.

    “My mandate was to follow democratic principles, ensure that it is constitutional, legitimate, morally supported and legally binding.

    “In line with that mandate, we have conducted the primary election through direct primary in all the 27 Local Government Areas,” he said.

    Kayoda described the exercise as peaceful, rancour-free and hitch-free with the support of the governor.

    In an acceptance speech, Uzodimma thanked the delegates and party faithful for the confidence reposed in him.

    “The victory of today’s event is a victory dedicated to God almighty and a victory that I will cherish for a long time.

    “For me, I see it as a mark of confidence from the members of our great party and entire Imo people at large,” he said.

    He recalled that he had consulted God in prayer before contesting election and that God had never disappointed him.

    “Looking back, you will agree with me that from where we met Imo state in 2020 and where we are in 2023, there is a huge difference.

    “If that is what touched your heart to challenge me to continue, I assure you that I will do my best not to betray this confidence you have reposed in me.

    “I pray that God almighty will give me the courage, wisdom, knowledge, resources to take Imo to its destination.

    “When you go home, pray for me.

    “The Imo you see today would have been three times better, if not for the huge money we spent fighting insecurity, but God almighty has intervened.

    “Going forward, we will double our speed,” he said.

    He urged the party faithful not to express fear, in spite of the propaganda, harassment, death threats or intimidation from the opposition parties, especially as the election drew nearer.

    Earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Mr MacDonald Ebere, said the governor’s victory was not surprising to the people of the state.

    “What you have done under three-and-a-half years of your administration is next to none.

    “Imo people are proud of Uzodimma’s signature projects, infrastructure development and economic policies.

    “For all you have done and for all Imo people, there is no dissenting voice,” he said.

    The Imo governorship poll comes up on November 11.

  • Breaking! Anyanwu wins Imo PDP guber primary

    Breaking! Anyanwu wins Imo PDP guber primary

     

    The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has emerged the party’s governorship candidate for the November 11 Imo State gubernatorial poll.

    The Imo PDP primary election was conducted on Wednesday at the party’s secretariat along the Okigwe Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Anyanwu is expected to challenge the re-election of the incumbent Governor of the state, Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    The State Organising Secretary of the opposition party, Lawrence Biado, said the seven-man electoral panel constituted by the National Working Committee headed by Kenneth Okon was present to monitor the primary election in Imo.

    But it was gathered that a former Governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha, was conspicuously absent during the primary election.

  • Labour Party reduces nomination fee for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections

    Labour Party reduces nomination fee for Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa elections

    Labour Party on Tuesday reduced its nomination fees for the off-circle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states from N25 million to N15 million.

    Mr Julius Abure ,National Chairman of LP, made this known while addressing newsmen after a meeting with its elected Senators and House of Representatives members in Abuja.

    Abure said that the decision was reached after consulting with the party’s national leader and the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi .

    “We have reviewed all the complaints about the high costs of nomination fees by the party in terms of nomination forms for the governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states .

    “I am pleased to announce to you that the nomination fees has been reduced from N25 to N15 million.

    “We have always been a listening party, we believe that this party is propelled and owned by the people.

    “Therefore, for us ,the leaders of this party, we shall always ensure that we listen to the yearnings and aspirations of our people and provide leadership by example.”

    Abure said that the nomination fee paid by its aspirants in Imo, late Mr Humphrey Anumudu would be refunded to his family to show leadership of compassion and empathy that the party stood for.

    He said that LP had eight Senators and 34 House of Representatives members in the just concluded elections  and congratulated them for the victory.

    He said that the party just concluded a meeting between its national leadership and the Senate and House of Representatives members elect to continue to build synergy and working relationship amongst them.

    “We must put on record here that all those who were elected on the platform of the party either to the House of Representatives or as Senators are well responsible and dedicated to the party .

    “For us to continue to provide quality leadership, we will continue to consult and we believe that they are men of integrity, they are women of high repute .

    ” I am sure they are also aware of the basis of which they were elected, they rode on the back of the people to the position where they are today,” he said.

    Abure said the party would build on the successes already recorded by the party to sustain the momentum and ensure that more Nigerians believed in the party.

    He sad the party’s legislators would provide quality leadership to the people and canvass alternative government policy as well as always identify with the cause of the people .

    He added that the party’s desire to take back the country and redeem the country from the shackles of poverty ,hunger, unemployment among others remain undaunted.

    “We shall continue to pursue these causes on behalf of Nigeria’s and we believe very strongly that the new Nigeria is still possible.

    “We use this opportunity to make it very clear that we will go after all those who stole the mandate that freely given to us by Nigerians on Feb. 25th and take them over lawfully .

    “These includes which was stolen alongside other mandates either at the level of states governorship or the level of state houses of assembly or the National Assembly.”

    Abure appreciated all Nigerians for the support the party enjoyed during the presidential ,governorship and House of Assembly elections especially those who lost their lives and wished the injured quick recovery.

  • Why I withdraw from Imo PDP guber primary – Ihedioha

    Why I withdraw from Imo PDP guber primary – Ihedioha

    Former Gov. Emeka Ihedioha of Imo has announced his withdrawal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election.

    Ihedioha announced his withdrawal from the race in a letter entitled, “notification of my withdrawal from the Imo PDP gubernatorial primaries”.

    The letter was addressed to the National Chairman of the party and was sighted in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Only Ihedioha and the National Secretary of the party, Mr Samuel Anyanwu, were screened for the primary election for the Imo PDP ticket.

    In the letter, Ihedioha stated that he turned 58 years on March 24 and had cause to reflect on so many things, including the state of PDP.

    The former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives stated that having been a member of the party since its  formation in 1998, he aligned himself with the request by PDP Imo chapter to the National Working Committee for a consensus candidate for the governorship primary.

    “In the interest of harmony and unity of the party, I have elected to make the personal sacrifice of withdrawing from further participation in the processes, leading to the emergence of the gubernatorial candidate.

    “This decision was not taken lightly. My commitment to the service of our people has never been in doubt.

    “And I am sure many of those who have, on their own, already started mobilising for me will be disappointed.

    “I sincerely seek their understanding and that of associates, admirers and particularly the electorate, who have over the years aligned themselves and identified with my political aspirations,” Ihedioha added.

    The former governor, who was sacked in 2020 by the Supreme Court, expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to him to have served in various capacities as a legislator and governor.

    “I am also proud of the positive impact I made, particularly in the seven months I served as the governor,” he said.

  • Gunmen kill two NSCDC personnel, two others in Imo

    Gunmen kill two NSCDC personnel, two others in Imo

    Unidentified Gunmen have killed two personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Imo and two persons working on a telecommunications mast.

    Commandant of the NSCDC in Imo, Mr Matthew Ovye who confirmed this to newsmen in Owerri on Monday said that the incident occured at Umulolo community, Ngor Okpala council area of the state.

    He gave the names of the NSCDC personnel to include Sixtus Onwusirike, an Assistant Superintendent 2 and Simon Simon, a Corps Assistant.

    He said that the four men were gunned down in what appeared to be a surprise attack at the Eke Isu market of the Umulolo community adding that security operatives had taken over the area.

    He also said that the NSCDC personnel were riding in a vehicle when they were ambushed and killed by their attackers “without any form of provocation“.

    “It’s a black Monday for us but we are on it. It’s rather unfortunate. Relevant security agencies have swung into action and the culprits will soon be brought to book,” he said.

    He however, advised residents of the area to avoid taking laws into their hands as security agencies were already on the top of their game.

    When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in Imo, Mr Henry Okoye also confirmed the incident and promised that security operatives would fish out the culprits in no time.

  • Armed hoodlums kidnap electoral officers in Imo

    Armed hoodlums kidnap electoral officers in Imo

    Armed hoodlums have abducted the electoral officer, the returning officer and the collation officers in the Isu Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State during the collation of results of the Assembly election.

    An eyewitness said: “They abducted the EO, the returning officer and all the collation officers.”

    According to the spokesperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State, Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, the election went smoothly and peacefully until the collation time when unscrupulous elements invaded the local government council – allegedly working with the local government area council – and violently found their way into the premises with tear gas and guns and drove everyone away.

    She added that all the INEC officials were beaten up and the office destroyed as all the windows, roof, chairs, and tables were broken while some of the staff escaped.

    “All the staff were beaten up and the office was destroyed, all the Almaco windows, chairs, and tables were broken. Some of us managed to escape for our dear lives,” she said.

    The INEC spokesperson said the development has been reported to security operatives for possible action.

    She explained on Sunday that the officers had been rescued.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) had earlier reported that 19 Ad-Hoc staff of INEC, who were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday in Imo State, were rescued by police operatives in the state.

    According to officials, the 19 INEC Ad-Hoc staff were on their way to seven different polling units in Ugbelie ward 06 in Ideato South LGA of Imo state when they were abducted.

    INEC spokesperson said the rescue took place after a distress call and information about the incident was made to the operatives who immediately swung into action.

    She added that even though they were rescued, all the election materials which include BVAS and sensitive materials were not recovered.

  • Kidnapped 19 INEC Ad-Hoc Staff rescued by Imo police

    Kidnapped 19 INEC Ad-Hoc Staff rescued by Imo police

    19 Ad-Hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday in Imo State, have been rescued by police operatives in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the development was confirmed by INEC authorities in the state.

    According to officials, the 19 INEC Ad-Hoc staff were on their way to seven different polling units in Ugbelie ward 06 in Ideato South LGA of Imo state when they were abducted.

    Kidnapped 19 INEC Ad-Hoc Staff rescued by Imo police

    INEC spokesperson, Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, said the rescue took place after a distress call and information about the incident was made to the operatives who immediately swung into action.

    She added that even though they were rescued, all the election materials which include BVAS and sensitive materials were not recovered.

  • Hoteliers groan as Uzodimma fires Commissioner over squabble with NLC

    Hoteliers groan as Uzodimma fires Commissioner over squabble with NLC

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Saturday approved the immediate removal of the State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Chief Ford Ozumba.

    The removal of Chief Ozumba was contained in a statement issued in Owerri by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba.

    No reason was given for the removal of the commissioner who was directed to handover to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry with immediate effect.

    Public sector workers in the state under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have embarked on industrial action on March 8 over alleged interference in the election of new state executives of the union.

    The face-off has led to total blackout in Owerri since Thursday as it grounded the operations of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, which feeds power to Imo.

    The blackout has consequently put the hoteliers at risk as patronage ebbed out.

    Chairman of the Imo chapter of the Nigerian Hoteliers Association, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, told newsmen in Owerri on Saturday the effect of the face-off on the tourism industry was become untoward.

    Chukwunyere urged the State Government and the State’s chapter of the NLC to settle their differences to save the tourism industry from collapse.

    He called on the warring parties to immediately sheathe their swords and save the industry before it became late.

    According to him, the high cost of diesel and on-going cash crunch were enough challenges for the industry which continued to battle with multiple taxations in a dwindling economy.

    He described the tourism industry as the second highest employer of labour in Imo and called on the parties to quickly resolve their differences in the interest of the state and her economy.

    “The misunderstanding between the state government and the NLC in the state has dealt a devastating blow on the tourism industry.

    “As the saying goes, where two elephants fight, the grass suffers and the grass here is the hotel industry.

    “More than 80 per cent of hotels are on the brink of collapse. They have neither been able to pay staff salaries nor have they met other expenses since December 2022.

    “Right now about 70 per cent of hotel owners in the state are asking people to leave their hotels because they want to relocate their businesses to either Asaba or to Ghana.

    “It is such a worrisome situation and whatever is the problem between the warring parties should be sorted out quickly,’’ Chukwunyere pleaded.

  • Encomiums as late Ohaneze Ndigbo PG, Obiozor is laid to rest

    Encomiums as late Ohaneze Ndigbo PG, Obiozor is laid to rest

    The remains of the late President-General (P-G) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, were laid to rest on Friday in his Awo-Omamma country home, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.

    Eminent Nigerians, who attended the funeral service held at the Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, took turn to pay tribute to the late Igbo icon.

    In a tribute, President Mohammadu Buhari described Obiozor as a “renowned academician, diplomat, statesman, patriot and foremost Igbo leader”.

    Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, said Obiozor’s passion about Nigeria propelled him to return to the country to serve in various positions.

    He said, “Prof. Obiozor’s outstanding public service career left indelible marks on the sands of time.”

    Also, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo said with the death of Obiozor, Nigeria had lost a walking encyclopedia on foreign policy and diplomacy.

    Uzodimma said: “With the death of Obiozor, the entire South East has lost a consummate and compassionate leader, whose inclusive, insightful, decisive and innovative style was beginning to bear enormous fruits in our relationship with our neighbours and allies.

    “We may have our differences. We may have disagreed in the past but the best thing that can be given to a man like George Obiozor is the last respect and honour.

    “The Igbo race has lost a gem. Nigeria has lost a star and Imo has lost a man that can best be described as a global encyclopedia.

    “But we take heart knowing full well that as generous as he was on earth, as God-fearing as he was, that Almighty God will have mercy on him,” the governor further said.

    Uzodimma also urged the late Obiozor’s family to take heart and put their trust in God.

    In a condolence message, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the deceased as an outstanding diplomat, who brought his unique knowledge and experience into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international community.

    “Amb. Obiozor had no doubt come a long in his multi-faceted career as a political scientist, policy analyst, administrator and diplomat.

    “It is instructive that his name, in the last four decades, has become something of a recurrent decimal in our foreign affairs and international relations.

    “Obiozor would be fondly and proudly remembered as a foremost multilateralist, an erudite scholar, a passionate nationalist and diplomatic legend of international repute,” Obasanjo stated.

    In a tribute, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also described Obiozor as “a keen intellect, a sharp wit and a gifted observer of the Nigerian condition”.

    For the Dan Malikin Kano, Amb. Ahmed Umar, the late Igbo icon was an erudite scholar, a diplomat’s diplomat and an intellectual to the core.

    “More interestingly, a very pragmatic leader, whose mastery of international relations is so incisive that he could describe any human problem through the prism of international relations,” Umar added.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, described Obiozor’s death as a “great loss”.

    Abubakar stated that the late Igbo leader was an elder statesman of repute, strong pillar of support to the family and entire nation.

    “His wise counsel, especially in times of crisis, will surely be missed by all,” the Sultan stated in his tribute.

    Earlier in a sermon, the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, urged Christians not to see death as an end but a means to eternity.

    “That is why we should keep good relationship every day, obey the commandments and trust in God.

    “God is always with us, especially at difficult and trying moments of our lives,” Chikwe said.

    He also prayed for the peaceful repose of Obiozor’s soul.

    The remains of the deceased were taken at the end of the service in a long motorcade from Owerri to his country home for interment.

    In attendance at the ceremony were the Secretary-General of the spex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Amb. Okey Emuchay, and former P-G of the body, Chief Gary Igariwey.

    Also present were the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clarke, who was represented by Gen. Collins Ihekire (rtd.) and the executive members of Middle Belt Forum, led by Mr Ben Atatah.

    Elder statesman, Chief Chris Iwuanyawu, former Senate President, Adophus Wabara, former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.), former Minister of Health, Dr ABC Nwosu and former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Kema Chikwe, were also present, amongst others.