![[BREAKING] EFCC nabs ex-Gov Obiano few hours after handing over to Soludo](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/6D00FC4F-F5DC-4B24-B6DA-45E97A0B4845.jpeg)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday arrested former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Lagos.
Obiano, who has been on the Commission’s watchlist, was arrested at about 8.30pm.
He was reportedly on his way out of the country to Houston, Texas in the United States.
Details to follow…
The governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano of Anambra has announced the dissolution of his cabinet.
It also includes termination of the appointments of cabinet members and aides with effect from March 16.
The notice of termination is contained in a circular signed by Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to the Anambra Government on Monday.
Obiano is expected to handover to the incoming governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on March 17 when his eight years two-term tenure expires.
Chukwulobelu said that those affected include all political appointees, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, Chief Press Secretary and commissioners.
Others are Special Advisers, Chairmen and members of non-statutory boards/agencies/committees, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Executive Assistants.
He stated: “This is to notify all political appointees that the life of the present administration will end on March 16.
“Consequently, all appointees are informed that their appointments will terminate on the above stated date.
“You are therefore advised to handover all government properties in your possession to the most senior civil servant in your office, and the officer should acknowledge the receipt as appropriate.”
Chukwulobelu said the fate of those in tenured appointments such as Managing Directors/CEO, Executive Secretaries and Provosts were not affected by the circular and would be determined by the next government.
“While thanking you for your services, we wish you best of luck in your future endeavors,” he said.
By Mideno Bayagbon
(08055069059 Whatsapp only)
Why are they trying to fool themselves and the people? Has the election been truly concluded? Who told them so? Are they so unlearned, so forgetful about our ways and politics? I shake my head in pity and have resolved that I will not join them. I refuse to celebrate with people who forget their history so contemptuously. If this were an election in the North of Nigeria where losers take their loss with religious equanimity, I probably will be encouraged to join them. Not Anambra. Gubernatorial cases in the North usually never get taken to the Supreme Court except the Zamfara aberration where the entire candidates of the APC, who swept to victory at the polls, were thrown out by the Supreme Court, not on technicalities but for impunity and clear breach of the law.
Not that I am from Anambra State, not that I am a member of any of the parties that wrestled themselves in the political mud in the state. True, if Nigeria were not as e be, I should consider myself a Lagosian from Lagos State; but I worry because Anambra adjoins my father’s home state and the rascalities there could spill over. You may be right if you think I am just a busy body Nigerian who thinks he has been wizened by the peculiarity of our politics. You may also wish to slam me, think me mad or something, but I refuse and I will not be fooled into believing that Professor Charles Soludo, who some now describe as the acclaimed and overwhelming winner of the elections in Anambra State, will be sworn in as Governor of Anambra State come the end of the tenure of Willie Obiano. None of those jubilating now can say that even if he is sworn in, that he will remain in office as the Governor of Anambra State. Only a fool would think that just because the people of Anambra State overwhelmingly voted for Soludo, giving him indisputable support in 20 of the 21 local government areas in the state, that it is a deal done and dusted. It is not. The last and most important voter has yet to vote.
In the past, I was one of those simplistic people. Not any more. I have been fooled enough. And until the Supreme Court has ruled, casting the deciding vote, based on some known and unknown technicalities, I will not join the Hallelujah choir. And based on the logistics of the times, I refuse to even wait with baited breath for the result of the deciding vote. Anambra will get whoever the Supreme Court decides will be Governor; not the people.
This is even more so since the All Progressive Congress candidate, Emmanuel Nnamdi “Andy” Uba has vowed to pursue the case up to the Supreme Court. Wipe that smug, that smile from your face; stop saying he came a very poor third in the race and his vote count too minuscule to matter. Those who think he is a joker might end up the joke! For truly there is a precedence. There is a governor sitting pretty in Imo who everyone knew had no chance in hell of emerging Governor of that state, left to the voters. But he did eventually. A conclave of seven Supreme Court Justices is all that was needed to cancel the votes and will of the people of Imo State, to catapult an abysmal failure to the pinnacle, to be robed in distinct allure: A testament to the almightiness of the Supreme Court. They showed Nigerians clearly that they can do and undo!
I hear Andy Uba has wisely engaged as mentor and consultant the very wily and cunningly astute political juggernaut, the Supreme Court Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, the Distinguished Chief Hope Uzodinma. As everyone knows, Uzodinma is a veteran Supreme Court litigant and has two important Supreme Court victories to his name. This combination is deadly, Andy himself being a victory snatcher of sorts too. Remember his purported election in 2007 as Governor of Anambra State even when the then incumbent, Peter Obi, still had three years outstanding to run as sitting governor of the state? Remember his road to the Senate? A rabble rouser, with eyes firmly fixed on the Governor’s mansion in Anambra since 2007, plotting his way to the Supreme Court might just surprise the unwise celebrants of Anambra.
A week after I wrote the above, news suddenly came that the APC under whose flag Andy Uba contested the governorship election had decided not only to go to court to contest the results of the election, but indeed to pursue it up to the Supreme Court. They have some technical issues to hang their claim to the governorship of Anambra on: Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as if in a trance when filling the documents for the governorship poll, filled in Aguata II instead of for governor of Anambra State. The Andy Uba camp is bubbling with confidence that the Supreme Court, which has used similar technicalities to knock out assumed winners of elections in other jurisdictions, will live up to its recent election reputation: Andy Uba who spectacularly failed to impress Anambra voters, coming a miserable third, unless by the intervention of God, will be catapulted and sworn in, March 2022, as Governor.
DR OKEZIE IKPEAZU MY GOVERNOR OF THE DECADE AND BEYOND
There is something in the ebullient and chubby governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, that should draw national and international attention to Abia State. He is such a caring governor! For this man’s goodness of heart, a lot of family are holding thanksgiving services in churches and shrines for their great fortune in having Dr Ikpeazu as their governor. Take his latest act of generosity, for example. Every woman who delivers in any of the state’s primary health care centres hits the good fortune of winning a huge lottery from Governor Ikpeazu’s government. They get a N500 reward, yes, an eye popping N500! Every single one of them. I assume, any fortunate lady who gives birth to twins, or triplets or quadruplets will get the governor going into a spasm of heartfelt adulation and he will waste no time in awarding each child a whopping N500. The mothers and indeed the families so fortunate will be beside themselves in excitement and monumental gratitude.
Yet this is one of the under reported achievements of this great governor. If Okezie Ikpeazu had not come out on national television to celebrate this huge dividend of democracy, no one would. And we must all congratulate him and urge all governors everywhere in the world to emulate this outstanding achievement of this much beloved governor. Just imagine every governor in the world giving an equivalent of one American Dollar, $1, to each mother. The fear, however, will be that all the family planning programmes will meet their waterloo. The rush for Ikpeazu’s generosity will lead to a remarkable spike in the number of children delivered worldwide.
One dollar or N500 can indeed do a lot for some of the downtrodden people of the world, especially in Abia State. It can fund an Okada ride back home for mother and child for instance. Or fund one sumptuous breakfast, the type they eat in Abia State government house for mother and child. It can also help supplement a mother’s baby milk if the N500 is used to buy pap, Ogi, akamu, but without milk for the baby. This and more are part of the reasons it is praiseworthy. In the final analysis, for the poor mothers of Abia State, Ikpeazu’s N500 jackpot is the difference between winning the lottery and remaining poor. Good judgment will always favour Ikpeazu and his novel generosity.
I don’t want to talk about the many roads in the state and their condition and the impact or not of the Ikpeazu government on them. I will also not look at all the other indices of development. Suffice it to say that Ikpeazu is one governor who can be said to have been fair to all the senatorial zones in the state. Unlike Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji who, some say, massively developed their zones to the neglect of all others, Ikpeazu cannot be so accused. The state of the roads in Aba and around the second biggest market in the South east, Ariara market, and in all the Ngwa area of the state cannot be said to have benefited much more than in the other zones. Ikpeazu didn’t construct or refurbish them so any accusation from the other zones can only be bad belly.
In fact, someone recently said that, that like President Buhari, Okezie Ikpeazu is trying his best; that the problem of the state is the continuation of the series of bad governance which have bedevilled the state since this our new attempt at democratic rule. His, it can be argued, is not peculiar.
That is why for this singular achievement with maternal mothers, I know the world would soon celebrate this wonderful governor of Abia and his novel empowerment of mothers with N500 stuck in a maternity package pack. Forgive me, if you disagree but Ikpeazu is my governor of the decade even if for all the wrong reasons. He is a true representative of the level of leadership Nigeria is at now. And as they say, the people truly deserve the government they elect.
Anambra State government has reacted to the placement of the state governor Willie Obiano on the watchlist by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency had earlier written a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) requesting the immigration to place Governor Obiano on a watchlist and inform it anytime he is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports, as well as other points of entry and exit.
In reaction to this, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba said the governor has four months left to remain in office and the commission went to far by publicly announcing that it is investigating Governor Obiano.
“Governor Obiano has a whole four months to remain in office as the Anambra State chief executive. Nobody in Nigeria can circumscribe his constitutionally conferred immunity which shields him from both criminal and civil prosecution.
“The EFCC went too far to announce in November that it is observing him. We are not aware of any state governor who had up to four months to be in office and the EFCC went on to sponsor media reports that he was being investigated,” Adinuba said in a press statement signed on Thursday.
Find below the full statement…
EFFC’s Inelegant Drama over Anambra Governor
God bless Anambra State, the Light of the Nation.
Signed
Don Adinuba
Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has described the just concluded governorship election as one that presents hope and a new beginning for the South-Eastern state.
Addressing the people of Anambra on Wednesday in his country home of Aguleri, Governor Obiano said the governorship election has enabled, once again, the continuation of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government for the next four years with Professor Soludo as the governor-elect.
He commended the people for taking a decision to be on the side of progress.
“The outcome of this gubernatorial election presents hope and a new beginning for our dear state,” Governor Obiano said.
“For the second time in the last four years, Ndi Anambra boldly chose to stand on the side of positive history. People who thought 21 over 21 was a fluke have seen history repeat itself in a most memorable way.
“19 over 21 is a massive repeat of history, the difference is just two. Against intimidating odds, we stood tall and reclaimed the dignity of our people.”
Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance had on Wednesday swept to victory in the Anambra governorship elections, winning 19 of the 21 local government areas of the state.
He secured 112,229 votes, twice more than his closest rival – Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be returned as winner of the election.
Governor Obiano dedicated the victory to the people of Anambra State, especially the people of Ebenebe who ‘rejected the sale of their conscience’ and “stuck to what they believed in”.
He equally expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and to the security agencies for maximum support towards the conduct of what he described as free, fair, and credible polls.
He, however, noted that the victory of the election is not a ‘winner takes all’ situation, but the party’s principle of being their brothers’ and sisters’ keeper will apply as arms are wide open to receive and welcome those who are willing.
Governor Willie Obiano and his wife Ebelechukwu on Saturday cast their vote at ERI primary school Polling Unit 004, Otuocha Ward Ward 1, Aguleri in Anambra East LGA by 9:28 am.
The Governor after casting his vote urged Anambra residents not to panic but firmly exercise their civil responsibilities by trooping out in mass to cast their votes.
“I ask Anambra people to come out and vote. Everywhere is peaceful. Come out and vote,” the governor said.
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has joined his counterparts in the southern region of the country to sign the anti-open grazing bill into law.
He assented to the Cattle and Other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill of Anambra State on Friday at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka.
Governor Obiano explained that the decision of the state government to outlaw the open grazing of cattle and other livestock was to enhance peace between the farmers and the herders in Anambra.
According to him, the management of the crisis between farmers and herders has been a short-term measure and it has become necessary for the government to take decisive action.
The governor stated that the law enforcement agencies have been directed to immediately commence the implementation of the law
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is not in support of the proposed state of emergency in the state.
Obiano stated this on Thursday after a meeting with the President at the villa in Abuja.
According to the governor, President Buhari does not want any form of intimidation ahead of the polls.
Governor Obiano who further stated that he has reported the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to Buhari, described as “unfortunate” the comments suggesting that the State of Emergency could be imposed on Anambra to engender security of lives.
The governor, while expressing his displeasure at the fact that Malami did not make such an assertion regarding the crisis brewing in other northern states, advised the justice minister to reserve his expressions over such issues.
The governor also rejected assertions that members of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state House of Assembly had defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), explaining that the members were given a hundred million each to join the opposition.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that following the wave of insecurity ravaging Anambra State and the southeast region in general, the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced on Wednesday that a state of emergency may be imposed.
According to Malami, the move would be made in a bid to tighten security ahead of the November 6 governorship election in the state.
Malami said the government will do everything possible to ensure the protection of lives and property adding that where there is evidence of a failure of the state government to ensure democratic order and security of lives, the Federal Government will prevail and will not rule out the possibility of imposing a state of emergency.
Recent violent events in Anambra have stirred doubts regarding the possibility of holding a free and fair election in the state come November.
TNG recalls that in the last couple of weeks, at least 10 persons have been killed in various attacks across the state, forcing leaders to begin critical deliberations as to how the tide can be stemmed.
On Tuesday the South-East Governors’ Forum said the ‘Ebube Agu’ security outfit will be established in all five states before the end of the year.
The governors said this as part of their eight-point agenda during a meeting that took place at the Enugu State Government House.
“The meeting agreed that the South-East Ebube Agu security outfit is launched in all the southeast states and laws passed in various southeast states before the end of 2021,” the communique read.
The security outfit was established in April as part of plans to checkmate the rising unrest in the region.
The Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO has requested the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willy Obiano, to shake off his lethargy and frontally confront the worsening insecurity in the state.
In a statement signed by Hon.Victor Afam Ogene, Director, Media and Publicity, SAUGCO, Senator Uba stated that Obiano is not only fiddling while Anambra is burning, but is clearly absent from duty.
His words: “President Buhari, not Governor Willy Obiano, is the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and head of all security agencies in the country,” the Anambra State Government said yesterday in a statement signed by its Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba; clearly absolving the governor of any responsibility.
Reacting to the statement on Sunday, October 3, 2021, we are then compelled to ask the following questions:
“When Mr. Adinuba proceeds to glow in the same statement that our dear state “for seven years enjoyed the richly deserved reputation of the most peaceful state in the whole country,” was President Buhari not the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces?
“Each time Gov. Obiano clownishly adorns himself in military camouflage, does he do so for mere comic display?
“When Governor Obiano collects the humongous sum of N1.5 Billion monthly as security vote, and his wife, N250 million, is it meant for carousing in the Governor’s Lodge, or to secure the state?
“From the Commissioner’s unsavoury submissions, we make bold to say that Governor Obiano appears to have thrown up his hands in heedless surrender.
“But we make haste to advise that it is too early so to do. In fact, until March 17, 2021, we insist that Gov. Obiano remains the chief security officer of Anambra state and must do his level best to secure the state, its people and properties.
“It is only after then, APC will take over the state because he will hand over power to Senator Andy Uba.
“But instead of seeking to finish strong in the area of security – for which he ceaselessly prides himself – the administration rather appears to revel in its inability to provide a secure environment for all, regardless of party affiliation. Otherwise, why would the government descend into a partisan arena to rejoice in the fact that the All Progressives Congress, APC had to put on hold its scheduled flag off, owing mainly to several killings brought about in the first place by its security incompetencies?
“Instead of seeking ways of making restitution to the people of Anambra who have been misgoverned over the last seven years and half, leading to key stalwarts and functionaries of both the party and government leaving in droves to join the APC, Governor Obiano, rather, refuses to act, lending credence to claims in several quarters that he does not want the November 6, 2021 governorship election to hold.
“Indeed, with Governor Obiano and his Administration openly admitting that the recent spate of killings in the state is “politically motivated,” it is now very clear that the orchestrated reign of violence, perhaps, has the imprimatur of government.
“Rather than insisting on foisting an inclement weather on the very people the administration ought to govern, we urge Governor Obiano to smell the coffee and not attempt to pull down the state with him.”
Signed,
Hon. Victor Afam Ogene
Director, Media and Publicity
For, and on behalf of the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO
![Anambra: Obiano laments mindless killings in statewide broadcast, places N20m bounty on killers of Chike Akunyili [Full speech]](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Chike-Akunyili.jpg)
Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has placed a ₦20 million bounty on the perpetrators of the gruesome killing of Dr. Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late former minister and Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili, and others in the state.
The Governor said that the sum will be awarded to anyone who is able to provide useful information to track the killers.
He said this in a special broadcast after an emergency State Security Council meeting at the Governor’s lodge in Amawbia on Wednesday, while condoling with the Akunyili family, as well as families of others who were killed in the attack.
Governor Obiano condemned the attack, calling on residents to join forces with security agencies to confront the common enemy and protect the state.
Speaking further, he lamented that between Sunday, September 26 to date, over 10 persons have been killed in various areas of the state.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Dr. Chike Akunyili was killed by the gunmen on Tuesday alongside his driver and a police escort around the Nkpor junction in Idemili North, Anambra State.
The late Chike was said to have been returning from an event where he received a posthumous award of excellence for his late wife when he ran into the hoodlums at Nkpor and was murdered in cold blood.
Meanwhile, the Police have visited the scene, as investigations into the incident and several other recent killings are now ongoing.
Read Governor Obiano’s full address below:
It is on a very sad note that I address the State today to condemn in very strong terms, the violence that has been witnessed in Anambra in the past few days.
Since last weekend, some armed persons have unleashed terror with sporadic attacks on innocent citizens in various parts of the State.
From the briefings I have received from Security Commanders, Offices of some political parties, branded campaign vehicles and individuals occupying them have been attacked with killings and burning of vehicles observed. Other innocent road users have become victims of this menace with many losing their lives and others, their properties.
Between Sunday 26th and yesterday 28th September, 2021 attacks on citizens at Oko, Agulu, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi and other places have left about ten (10) people dead including an illustrious son of this State, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof Dora Akunyili who was reportedly gunned down yesterday around Nkpor.
These are our own people dying every day and for what reason?
Ndi Anambra, these attacks and accompanying deaths cannot be justified and must stop now.
I have therefore conducted an extensive security meeting and have directed all Security Agencies to step up and confront this monster ravaging our land. I charge everyone involved in the security architecture of Anambra State to take very seriously, this threat to our livelihood and boldly rise to confront same. Everything that needs to be done will be done and no stone will be left unturned in this effort. My directive to this effect is clear and i urge every security personnel on duty in Anambra State to do his utmost best to secure our people.
To all citizens of Anambra State and every person living and doing business in our State, I urge you now to join forces with us to confront this common enemy.
We cannot condone this savagery for any reason whatsoever. I therefore call on all our youths in the State to rise up and protect our communities. Traditional Rulers, Presidents General, Clergy men, Vigilante Groups and all leadership structures must now take responsibility and in conjunction with the Police, Military and other Law Enforcement Agencies, work to restore order immediately.
To reinforce our commitment and seriousness on this issue, I on behalf of the State Government, wish to announce a twenty million Naira (N20,000,000.00) reward for any useful information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks on our State. The people behind this must be unmasked and brought to book. I urge Citizens to report to us, anybody bearing firearm who is not a Security or Vigilante personnel, so we can deal with this monster, once and for all. Call 07039194332 or approach any Security deployment if you have any information. As the Americans say, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.
At this point, I wish to most heartily condole with the families of all those who have lost their loved ones in the course of these senseless attacks. I promise you that we will leave no stone unturned in getting justice for them. May their souls rest in peace.
Finally, I urge all citizens of the State to unite in this fight against all forms of terror, intimidation and tyranny. We will not succumb to invaders as I am convinced that no Anambra son will indulge in this kind of heartlessness. I warn all those promoting and participating in these violent attacks to leave our State or pay a high price as we will definitely catch up with them.
To all law abiding citizens and persons living in our State, I urge you to go about your lawful businesses but we must now ALL go to work and take back our State. This is Anambra, the Light of the Nation, where darkness has no place. The events of the last one week will not be allowed to fester and by God’s grace, we shall overcome.
Thank you and God bless.