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Tag: Imo State

  • Igbo political body pays courtesy visit to SPOLAD

    Igbo political body pays courtesy visit to SPOLAD

    A powerful delegation Of Igbo Political Forum Asaba Chapter on Monday 6th November paid a courtesy visit to the Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Olorogun Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo at his office in Asaba.

    The delegation, led by the group Chairman, the State President of Igbo Political Forum, said that the purpose of the visit was to introduce the existing executive of the organisation to the Senior Political Adviser, Congratulates him on his appointment and to thank the state government for its relentless support to non-indigenes

    The group pointed out that the new leadership is ready to collaborate with the state government in ensuring that the interest of Igbo Political Forum is adequately projected within the state polity.

    Igbo Political Forum commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for signing in Julius berger to construct bridges within Delta, since inception Delta had never used such gigantic construction company to work in the state, that Oborevwori’s government mean well for it’s people saying posterity would remember him.

    Welcoming the delegation, Chief Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo thanked the leadership of Ohanaeze for the visit. He urged them to remain focus and united in order to achieve a meaningful progress.

    Aguariavwodo assured the delegation that Sheriff administration will continue to support and partner with Igbo Political Forum and charged them to romance with Ohanaeze ndigbo as the Apex Igbo Organization.

  • INEC denies withdrawal of passwords for results upload in Imo

    INEC denies withdrawal of passwords for results upload in Imo

    The commission in a “fake news alert” released to journalists by Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said on Friday midnight described report as untrue.

    “The attention of INEC has been drawn to a story attributed to unknown “concerned workers” of the Commission that passwords for result upload have been withdrawn from LGA Supervisors for use by APO1s in Imo State. This is untrue.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Presiding Officers (POs), and not APO1s, are responsible for result upload to the IReV.

    “All the passwords have been securely released for use by designated officials in line with the Commission’s procedure.

    “The public should expect more of such insinuations before, during and after the elections, and continue to discountance them,” Oyekanmi said.

  • PDP denies withdrawing candidate from Imo election

    PDP denies withdrawing candidate from Imo election

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied the purported video alleging the withdrawal of its Governorship Candidate in Imo, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, from the Saturday election.

    The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Friday described the video with the sole aim of misleading the public as fake, barbaric and shameful.

    Ologunagba, added that the the malicious fake video was by those not ready for fair and credible election, who now resorted to last minute underhand method after failed attempt to get Anyanwu out of the way.

    “What is even more alarming is that the makers of this fake video are so criminally minded as to attempt to make Nigerians believe that it was a news production of the TVC.

    “Our Party commends the courage of the management of TVC in immediately disclaiming and condemning the fraudulent use of TVC name, logo and inscription.

    “In an attempt to deceive the people of Imo State and ascribe legitimacy to the fake video.

    “The PDP restates that our candidate, Anyanwu is very much in the governorship race. The people of Imo should disregard the said video as it is completely false, “ he said.

    Ologunagba called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify those involved in producing and circulating the fake video.

    The act, according to him, constitute a gross violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Nigerian Criminal Code and Cyber Crime Law.

  • Election: EFCC deploys personnel to prevent vote buying in Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo

    Election: EFCC deploys personnel to prevent vote buying in Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its personnel to monitor the Saturday’s governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the aim of the deployment was to prevent politicians and their agents from engaging in vote buying during the elections.

    Oyewale said that the exercise was part of the commission’s drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes.

    “The  monitoring operations are to tackle any form of voter’s inducement through vote buying, vote selling and other manipulations of the electoral processes at variance with the Electoral Act,” he said.

    Oyewale said that the exercise was introduced as part of the efforts by the commission to rid the nation’s electoral system of corrupt practices.

    He reiterated the commission’s determination to ensure that corrupt practices were not part of the country’s electoral process.

  • Imo Governor, Uzodinma apologizes to NLC president, Joe Ajaero over attack

    Imo Governor, Uzodinma apologizes to NLC president, Joe Ajaero over attack

    Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has apologized to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero over the assault meted out to him  during the NLC protest in the state.

    Uzodinma describe the incident as highly unfortunate and regrettable.

    Recall that Ajaero was attacked and brutalised by men suspected to be loyal to Uzodinma in connivance with operatives of the state Police command.

    However, the Imo state police command has denied their involvements in the allegation, saying that it took Ajaero into protective custody after receiving intel of planned mob action against the union’s leader.

    The governor, who spoke during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, said the attack on Ajaero is regrettable to him and the government, insisting he would never support violence.

    After apologising to Ajaero, the Govenor advised him to act in a more civilized manner.

    He said, “I was unaware that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president was in my state. What I did was to condemn the action. I have never disagreed with the labour union.”

    “It has nothing to do with my government. Whether Joe Ajaero is the President of NLC or not, I would not wish this to happen to any human being. Of course, I have to apologise because it happened in my state.”

    “I am a Christian and believe in God. I can’t support violence. I can never support violence. Whatever happened to Joe Ajaero in my state which I am not aware of that led to him being assaulted must be regretted by both my government and myself.”

    “Going forward I will also like him to do things in a more civilised manner. That was the point I was making. A man who is from my state to go on the street without clearing me out; without bringing all the allegations before me,” Uzodinma added.

     

  • IPCR urges violence-free polls in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    IPCR urges violence-free polls in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    Joseph Ochogwu, the Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), has called for violent-free elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi governorship polls scheduled to hold on Saturday.

    Ochogwu said this on Friday in a statement signed by Esther Ndukwe Media officer of IPCR.

    According to him, the off-cycle elections present peculiar challenges because of violence in some of the states involved in the exercise.

    “During the campaigns, pockets of violence were noticed. The attitude of some political stakeholders to unleash violence should be stopped, because it has the capacity to distort the credibility of an election’’, Ochogwu.

    “The key actors in this election have the responsibility of ensuring that the election is violent free.

    “They also have the responsibility of ensuring that people come out to vote to avoid voter apathy.

    “The key actors in the elections should ensure that the credibility of the elections is not questioned. They should play by the rules.

    “The Army, Police and other security agencies have promised to ensure that the elections are violence free, but the stakeholders in the election should on their part ensure that their supporters maintain peace during and after the election,” he said.

    Ochogwu also said no fewer than 18 political parties taking part in the election in Imo state have signed a peace accord,

    “Signing of peace accords alone cannot guarantee peace. The actors involved in the elections should ensure that the peace accord signed is followed with action.

    “The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution calls for violent free, rule based elections, so that the credibility of the elections is not questioned.

    “The key actors should play by the rules. Election is not do-or-die affair, you have to be alive to be in politics. Politics is not done in isolation.

    “The key actors should have it at the back of their mind that nothing can be achieved with violence,” the D-G said.

  • Strike: Power outage in Imo beyond our control – EEDC

    Strike: Power outage in Imo beyond our control – EEDC

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says the current power outage in Imo, a fallout of a strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is beyond its control.

    The EEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, made the disclosure in statement issued in Owerri on Thursday.

    The organised labour in Imo, on Tuesday , Nov. 1, shut down Egbu Transmission Station, which is EEDC’s source of electricity supply, thereby leaving it with no energy to distribute to its customers, a development that has left  the whole of Imo in blackout.

    Ezeh described the situation as unfortunate and explained that with EEDC’s source of power which is at Egbu Transmission Station shut down by the Labour Union, there was no way the company could get power to distribute to its customers in Imo.

    “We can only distribute the power that we receive from stations operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and in this case, the station catering for our customers in Imo has been shut down by the Labour Union,” he said.

    He sympathised with the company’s customers in Imo over the inconveniences the development had caused them and expressed hope that the parties involved would resolve their differences for normalcy to return to the state.

    He also said that the company was handicapped, losing revenue running into millions of Naira, and could not do much in the present circumstance.

    “As a Distribution Company, our primary source of supply is from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Stations, and once there is disruption in the chain, we won’t be able to deliver service to our customers,” he said.

    Ezeh allayed the fears of customers who were concerned that they might be billed for the period they were out of supply, emphasizing that “the company does not bill for service not rendered.

    “The impact of the power outage currently experienced will reflect on the December bill, which will be for energy consumed in the month of November.

    “Whereas the November bill, which is for energy that has been consumed in the month of October, has to be paid for by the customers, as it has no relation with the current power situation being experienced,” he said.

    He however, urged customers to remain vigilant and ensure that the transformer and other electricity infrastructure serving them are protected, as vandals might want to take advantage of the outage to attack the equipment.

  • Imo guber: What I discovered during my state-wide campaign tour – Sen. Anyanwu

    Imo guber: What I discovered during my state-wide campaign tour – Sen. Anyanwu

    The Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, said he discovered during his campaign that Imo people have lost confidence in Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s government.

    Anyanwu said this at a news briefing in Owerri on Thursday.

    He said that he saw in his state-wide campaign tour that “the people have lost confidence and do not believe in the present Imo Government”.

    He said that he also found out that he remained the only credible alternative to the Government House, among all the contestants.

    “Having gone round the 27 Local Government Areas of the state in the course of my campaign, I realised that Imo people have suffered deceit for almost four years,” he said.

    He argued that all the state roads, including internal roads in Owerri capital city, were in deplorable condition.

    He further described Owerri as the dirtiest city in the South-East, with heaps of decomposing waste in every nook and cranny of the town.

    “The only campaign material, which the governor has been using are the Orlu-Owerri Road and Okigwe-Owerri Road, which are federal roads.

    “The 27 local council offices are in comatose and overgrown with grasses,” Anyanwu said.

    The PDP governorship hopeful claimed that at least 2,000 Imo people lost their lives and over 800 houses destroyed as a result of the lingering insecurity.

    He further said that all the primary health centers in the state were lying comatose.

    “I discovered that the last time a medical doctor was employed was in 2009 and we currently have barely 23 doctors in the state.

    Anyanwu said that Imo was the 13th most indebted state in the country with a N217 billion debt profile.

    He said that all the public schools visited had no chairs, roofs, teachers nor motivation for the teachers to do their job.

    “When I went to Imo State University, I discovered that students do not have electricity, water and public toilets.

    “Most of them indulge in open defecation in the surrounding bush.

    “If you go to Orsu and Oru West Local Government Areas, you cannot find a young man between 18 and 40 on the streets because of insecurity.

    “The first cardinal responsibility of any government is to protect lives and when any government cannot do that, that government has failed.

    “The honourable thing to do is to resign because people have lost confidence in that government,” he said.

    Anyanwu, therefore, appealed to the electorate to entrust their votes to him.

    He assured them that he would appreciate criticism and implement people-centered policies that would enhance the lives of the people, if elected.

    “I will not be a wasteful governor but one who would manage resources prudently.

    “I will improve on what my predecessors did rather than destroy them in the name of politics.

    “I will re-introduce Imo Road Maintenance Agency to help ensure proper maintenance of our roads.

    “We are going to declare a state of emergency on our public primary schools and give them a facelift to compete favourably with private schools and ensure that parents have good options,” he said.

    He further promised to train and retrain teachers, especially on ICT and as well ensure their welfare and promotion as and when due.

    He promised to establish Community Guard Initiative that would engage about 13,200 to assist security agencies with information on crime fighting and prevention.

    “I can assure you that by the time we conduct local government elections, at least 1,501 Imo people will be employed,” he said.

  • Guber Polls: DSS cautions parties, supporters to play by rules in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

    Guber Polls: DSS cautions parties, supporters to play by rules in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned key political actors and their supporters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States to conform to the rules of engagement and specifically the electoral law during the conduct of Saturday’s gubernatorial elections.

    Director, Public Relations and Strategy, of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, gave the advice in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. Afunanya explained the warning had become necessary in order to avert situations likely to undermine the electoral processes.

    He disclosed that so far, the Service had substantially liaised with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), sister security agencies and relevant civil society organisations to ensure a hitch free exercises in the three states.

    “The Service, therefore, implores all stakeholders, irrespective of their political affiliations or grievances, to engage in respectful and constructive conversations that promote collective understanding.

    “It has thus become imperative that public commentaries should shift towards unity and peace necessary for national development and security. This should be our shared responsibility and indeed the priority of everyone.

    “Those on election duties, including the media and civil society, are encouraged to avoid things that will inflame sentiments and cause a breakdown of law and order. Broadcast and monitoring activities should be devoid of manipulations. Stakeholders are enjoined to note that politics should not be used to destroy the country or any part of it.

    “However, individuals or groups that may decide to engage in illegitimate acts or inimical conducts to public order will be decisively dealt with as dictated by the law.

    “Consequently, citizens are encouraged to be patriotic as well as recognise that our loyalty and love to the nation should transcend individual or parochial interests.

    “Everyone is called upon to eschew bitterness and promote dialogue that contributes to the progress of the nation. Together, we can build a stronger and more secure future for our beloved country,” he said.

    Afunanya expressed concern over what he described as rising trends of incendiary comments by some personalities and groups since the end of the general elections. He noted that with the elections and the attendant contentions legally over, it is expected that everyone should forge ahead in nation building without rancour or acrimony.

    The DSS, he said, would deal decisively with those involved in making inflammatory remarks capable of destroying the country. The Service also, warned Nigerian citizens whether at home or abroad, whose intentions are to demarket or subvert Nigeria through misleading and false narratives to desist from such acts.

    “The Department of State Services, DSS, has observed rising trends and patterns of incendiary comments by some personalities of influence and representatives of non-governmental entities within and outside the country. Such statements run against public peace and harmony.

    “It is strongly believed that a resort to acerbic pronouncements by certain persons will not only heat-up the polity but set the ground for deep-seated animosities and divisions among the populace,” the statement read.
    END

  • INEC begins distribution of election materials for Imo guber

    INEC begins distribution of election materials for Imo guber

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday began the distribution of election materials to the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

    Political party agents and security personnel were on ground at the Owerri office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to vet the materials.

    In an interview, INEC’s National Commissioner in-charge of South-East, Mr Kenneth Ukeagu, expressed the readiness of the commission to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    “We released the timetable for this election about a year ago and in the schedule of activities, we have 13 items and we have implemented 11.

    “What is remaining is the end of campaigns and election proper,” Ukeagu said.

    He also said that the commission was ready to address challenges that might arise from the distribution process.

    Also, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu, said that all the materials, including sensitive materials and result sheets needed for the poll, had arrived at the CBN Owerri office.

    Agu said that after the inspection, party agents, INEC officials, supporting RECs and security personnel would move the materials to the 27 LGAs.

    “We have also gone ahead to activate the Registration Area Centers to assist early distribution and ensure closer distribution to poling units,” Agu said.

    The Attorney-General of the state and State Collation Officer of APC, Mr Cyprian Akaolisa, commended the transparent process INEC deployed for the distribution process.

    “We have seen how carefully they stocked the materials for each local government; ballot papers, non-sensitive materials and results sheets.

    “Party agents insisted that the REC should countersign all the result sheets, that is, all the form EC8B and EC8C collation sheets, which the REC and the national commissioner obliged,” Akaolisa said.

    In a reaction, a Peoples Democratic Party Collation Agent, Mr Ugochukwu Nwokeoma, said the party would make official statement after the inspection of the materials.

    “The inspection is still ongoing, but so far, we have not seen any evidence to show that the materials were tampered with,” Nwokeoma said.