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Tag: Okezie Ikpeazu

  • Asset recovery: How Ikpeazu is making desperate efforts to stop probe by panel- Otti

    Asset recovery: How Ikpeazu is making desperate efforts to stop probe by panel- Otti

    The governor of abia state, Alex Otti  has revealed how his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, is allegedly making desperate efforts to avoid probe by procuring court order to stop the Judiciary Panel on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State.

    Otti in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, said:”Twice, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former Governor had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja for ex parte order to restrain the Judicial Panel, from doing its work, but on the two occasions he was rebuffed by the courts.”

    The statement reads:”The two attempts were rejected because he failed to put the state government on notice as directed by the courts.

    “A source conversant with details of the two futile moves by Ikpeazu puts it in proper perspective:

    “Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the immediate past Governor of Abia State, had instituted Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/907/2023 DR. OKEZIE IKPEAZU & 3 ORS VS GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE & 8 ORS in the Abuja division of the Federal High Court and same was assigned to his Lordship Hon. Justice Omotosho J.

    “In that suit, Dr. Ikpeazu sought (by way of an Ex-Parte application) to secure an Ex-Parte order to restrain a Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by the Government of Abia State to recover government properties and funds. His Lordship Hon. Justice Omotosho J. refused the Ex-Parte application insisting that the respondents be put on notice.

    “He immediately withdrew the suit and filed a fresh one FHC/ABJ/CS/945/2023 Ikpeazu Vs INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (IGP) & 8 ORS which was assigned to His Lordship Hon. Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who, also refused the Ex-Parte application to restrain the proceedings of the panel and gave the Claimant 2 (two) days to put the respondents on notice. He once again quickly withdrew the suit

    “It is obvious that by withdrawing both suits and also refusing to put the Abia State Government on notice as directed by the court, it is clear that this is a subterranean exercise and patent manifestation of bad faith and a desperate attempt to use the court as a shield for the alleged criminal activities of his administration in Abia State.”

    Otti who vowed to recover every dime stolen from the state, said that his predecessor had not given up on his desperation to avoid probe.

    “We have it on good authority that Ikpeazu is shopping for another court that would possibly give him the order to stop the probe.“

  • It’s wrong to say Ikpeazu left nothing for Otti – Iroha

    It’s wrong to say Ikpeazu left nothing for Otti – Iroha

    A former media aide to former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Ikechukwu Iroha, has said that it is wrong for the administration of Governor Alex Otti to say that his former boss left only debts without leaving any cash or near-cash assets behind.

    Iroha, who claimed he decided to speak out, said he needed to do so not because of anything but to carry out personal unsolicited intervention just to put the records straight to the best of his knowledge.

    According to him, at the time of Ikpeazu’s exit from office, the state was not owing any commercial bank including temporary overdrafts, adding that Ikpeazu paid off all.

    “Abia State under the watch of Dr Ikpeazu invested $5,000,000.00 in Geometric Power Company. That’s a near-cash asset”, he stated.

    “As of Friday, 9th June 2023, the state received Twenty-Four Billion Naira (N24,000,000,000.00) through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as part of a total of N48b standing to the credit of the state. The money was earned under the watch of Dr Ikpeazu.”

    Iroha said that Ikpeazu’s administration perfected a Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) World Bank facility at a 0.06% interest rate with 10 years repayment moratorium for the construction of more than 500km roads including extremely dilapidated Port Harcourt Road, Aba.

    He added, “The implication is that the current administration can commence drawing down on that facility from day one to construct critical roads in Abia State and will not have to repay the money over the pendency of its tenure, assuming it is up to 8 years.

    “African Development Bank facility of Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000.00) processed by the Ikpeazu administration is also ready for the new administration to access for construction of rural roads.”

    Iroha said that while the Ikpeazu administration superintended over the state for most of May 2023, it is the current administration that will receive the FAAC allocation for that month.

    He said that similar to the above, internally generated revenue for the month of May 2023 is also available to the new administration.

    “Prior to the exit of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu from office, Abia State Government and the office of the accountant general of the federation reconciled their accounts with N6,000,0000,000.00 standing to the credit of the state.

    “What that also says is that the Ikpeazu administration was not owing the federal government but rather it was FGN that owed the state. The current administration has access to that additional fund of N6b.

    “While we are still expecting the new administration to give the detailed composition of the alleged debts left behind by the Ikpeazu administration, it is safe to say that they are mostly long-term development facilities, contractor debts and possibly outstanding payments to pensioners and salary earners.

    “It is my candid view that the new administration in the state can smoothly take off and service state liabilities with what it has without screaming or yelling.”

  • May Day: Abia Govt. announces new retirement age, service year for teachers

    May Day: Abia Govt. announces new retirement age, service year for teachers

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has announced an extension of teachers’ retirement age and years of service by five years.

    He announced this during Monday’s celebration of the 2023 Workers’ Day, with the theme, “Workers rights and socioeconomic justice”, in Umuahia.

    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr Onyii Wamah, said that the retirement age had been extended from 60 years to 65 years and years of service from 35 to 40 years.

    He said that the implementation of the new policy would take effect from next week.

    Ikpeazu said that the state government remained committed to improving the welfare of workers and would address all issues pertaining to their salary arrears.

    He said that in line with improving the welfare of civil servants, the government had approved a 2,000 housing units scheme for them to meet their housing needs.

    He said the government also set up a committee to produce the Minimum Wage Salary scale for civil servants.

    In a speech, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Chief Pascal Nweke, described the theme of the event as apt, adding that it clearly states the desires of the average worker.

    Nweke said that it was disheartening that the issue of nonpayment of salary  arrears, leave allowance, pension and gratuity had remained unresolved, with the present administration winding down.

    According to him, Abia workers are experiencing untold hardship as a result of the unpaid salary arrears.

    He appealed to the state government to initiate measure to ameliorate the sufferings of workers and pensioners.

    Also, the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, called on the incoming administration to show increased commitment to workers’ welfare by demonstrating genuine empathy to their affairs.

    Eneogwe urged political office holders to fulfill the campaign promises they made to Abia workers.

    “This would boost workers’ productivity as well as foster growth and development in the state,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the event, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, commended workers for their resilience and dedication to duty, in spite of the current economic hardship and poor work environment.

    Ogbonnaya expressed dismay over the nonpayment of salaries in the state, adding that “it is a crime against humanity to owe workers’ salary”.

    He, therefore, urged the government to urgently do the needful.

    He further charged workers to develop personal retirement plan while in service to tackle the financial uncertainty that usually affected retirees due to the nonpayment of gratuities and irregular payment of pension.

    “I am urging you to disengage from wasteful venture, invest in your children and build your own house.

    “Make yourself an entrepreneur, take it one step at a time,” Ogbonnaya said.

    The ceremony featured march past and presentation of awards.

  • Abia PDP to challenge victory of Governor-elect, Alex otti

    Abia PDP to challenge victory of Governor-elect, Alex otti

    The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Wedneday, said it would challenge the declaration of the Governor-elect, Alex otti, at the election petition tribunal.

    Otti, the candidate of the Labour Party in the March 18, 2023 governorship poll was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission after polling a total of 175,467, to defeat his closet rival and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Okey Ahiwe, who garnered 88,529 votes.

    Although Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, had congratulated Otti, and urged the candidates who lost in the election not to challenge the outcome of the election to avoid distractions to the incoming governor, but the PDP State Working Committee acted otherwise.

    In a statement by the Abia PDP Vice Chairman and acting State Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah, stated that the party will challenge the outcome of the election in six local government areas where the BIVAS machine was allegedly not used for accreditation of voters.

    The statement read, “The Abia PDP State Working Committee and the enlarged State Executive Committee met today and reviewed the results after collecting all the materials used in the conduct of the just concluded governorship and state House of Assembly elections and has decided to go to court to challenge the results of the Abia guber election, especially in six local government areas where the BIVAS machines were not used.

    It added that “the decision is coming on the heels of members of the Labour Party taking its our candidates that won elections to court despite the honest and wise advise and appeal of the Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu, that the winners of the election including the governor-elect, Alex Otti should be spared the burden of litigation which only serves to distract public officers from performing their duties and responsibilities.

    “Abia PDP is shocked to note that at a time when it is making arrangements for a seamless and peaceful transition for the new government, it is the same Labour Party that was declared the winner that is trying to torpedo the process.

    “Subsequently, the legal department of the Abia PDP will release the details of its petitions in the next 24 hours and head to the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the declaration of Alex Otti of the Labour Party as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    The party, however, call on the people of Abia to remain calm, peaceful and steadfast.

  • Abia lawmakers deny plot to impeach Gov. Ikpeazu

    Abia lawmakers deny plot to impeach Gov. Ikpeazu

    The Abia State House of Assembly on Saturday described as false, rumours that the lawmakers planned to impeach the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

    The Deputy Speaker, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, who dismissed the rumours while addressing newsmen in Aba, said that the lawmakers had never contemplated such plan.

    Uchendu urged members of the public to disregard the rumours, assuring that the Assembly would continue support the governor till the end of his tenure.

    Also, Mr Solomon Akpulonu, the Majority Leader, said that the rumours emanated from mischief makers.

    Akpulonu said that the assembly was pleased with the achievements recorded by Gov. Ikpeazu, especially in the area of infrastructural development.

    Also, the Minority Leader, Mr Chijioke Chukwu, said individuals peddling the rumours were doing so to malign the state House of Assembly.

  • [Video] Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s son arrives event in convoy

    [Video] Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s son arrives event in convoy

    Chinedu Ikpeazu, the son of Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has kept social media talking as a video of him arriving at an event in a convoy and security escorts has emerged.

    The boy reported to be 21 years old, was praised by the MC as he emerged from his convoy.

    In the video, the MC said “Son of His Excellency is also His Excellency,” while singing his praise.

    Women are seen hailing the young son of the state governor and gunshots are heard ringing out to welcome him to the event.

    The grand arrival sparked outrage and Nigerians took to various platforms to point out that many workers in the state are still being owed arrears in salaries, yet the governor’s son is living an extravagant life and receiving praise from the people.

    See the video below:

     

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  • Abia PDP guber candidate ill, says Ikpeazu

    Abia PDP guber candidate ill, says Ikpeazu

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, on Monday confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Governorship Candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne, is ill.

    Ikpeazu made the confirmation in a local radio programme, monitored in Umuahia.

    The governor, however, said that Ikonne was “recovering gradually and progressively”.

    According to him, Ikonne attended some rallies organised by the PDP in Abia, including the Nov. 24, 2022, launch of the party’s state-wide campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    He further said that Ikonne left the stadium for a gala night, organised in honour of the G-5 Governors in his (Ikpeazu) Umuobiakwa country home in Obingwa, “where he managed to give a speech and then he took ill”.

    “It is unfortunate that he is lately indisposed but I want to report some progress and the progress is that Ikonne is recovering gradually and progressively.

    “He has left the hospital and is going through convalescence.

    “I am sure that he will be strong enough in the future to join,” the governor said.

    Ikpeazu urged residents of the state to keep hope alive, assuring them that Ikonne would soon bounce back.

    He contended that his absence from the political space this time “will not define the progress of the campaigns or agenda of PDP in the state.

    “It might be the wish of detractors that Ikonne’s absence will linger,” he said.

    He recalled that when he was ill himself, “permutations changed and people were allocating positions to themselves.

    “I’m sure they even appropriated my wife to themselves,” the governor said.

    NAN reports that speculations about Ikonne’s health challenge became rife, following his sudden withdrawal from public functions after the stadium event.

    Meanwhile, Ikpeazu has assured the people that no other party had the capacity to displace PDP in the state.

    He said the “PDP is very very powerful” in Abia and that no other party compared with it in terms of strength.

    He said, “Some of them may have supporters in one or two local governments but they cannot put 100 people each across Abia.”

    He also spoke about some of the achievements of his administration, including the expansion of business opportunities in Aba and socio-political stability in the state.

    Ikpeazu, who is the Senatorial Candidate for Abia South, promised to replicate his achievements in the Senate, if given the mandate.

    He is up in the race against the incumbent, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is seeking reelection to the Upper Chamber for the fifth consecutive time.

  • Ikpeazu, Soludo mourn George Obiozor, Ohaneze Ndigbo’s leader

    Ikpeazu, Soludo mourn George Obiozor, Ohaneze Ndigbo’s leader

    Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra, has expressed sadness over the death of Prof. George Obiozor, the President-General of Ohanézè Ndígbo.

    Soludo, who expressed his condolences in a statement signed by Mr Christian Aburime, his Press Secretary, said Obiozor was a great diplomat and a solid intellectual in the diplomatic circles

    He described the passing on as a big loss to the people of Imo State, Igbo race, the Nigerian nation and the world at large.

    Soludo noted that as a professor and diplomat who was the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States at a time, Obiozor truly impacted the world around him as a leader and would therefore be solely missed.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Anambra State, I commiserate with the Obiozor’s family and the government of Imo State over the irreparable loss,” he stated.

    The death of Obiozor was announced by Imo State Government on Dec. 28. He died at the age of 80 years.

    Obiozor’s death shocking – Ikpeazu

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has expressed shock over the death of the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor.

    Ikpeazu made this known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onyebuchi Ememanka, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday.

    He described the octogenarian as “a ranking member of the global academic community”.

    He further described him as “a world acclaimed Professor of International Relations and a diplomat of the finest grade”.

    The governor said that his death robbed Igbo nation of one of its most illustrious sons.

    According to him, the deceased was one of the most powerful men of Igbo extraction at the global diplomatic level.

    He maintained that his death had dealt a huge blow on Ndigbo, which is still grappling with issues around leadership and her place in Nigeria.

    “Prof. Obiozor would be deeply missed,” he stated.

    He added that posterity would judge him favourably, considering that he left indelible footprints on the sands of time.

    Also, Prof. Damain Opata, the Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, described Obiozor’s demise as a great loss to South-East and the country.

    “I received the death of our national president with shock, surprise and sadness,” Opata said.

    He further said that the incident had denied Ndigbo and Nigeria a great leader and global career diplomat.

    “The death of Obiozor is not only a great loss to Ndigbo but to the country and world.

    “It’s indisputable that the country and the international community will miss the immense intellectual contributions and wise counsels of Obiozor on national and global issues.

    The professor emeritus from the Department of English and Literary studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said that Obiozor “would be remembered for his commitment to uniting Nigeria beyond geo-political consideration”.

  • PDP G5 Governors reportedly split over support for Obi, Tinubu

    PDP G5 Governors reportedly split over support for Obi, Tinubu

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) G5 Governors appear to have been divided over support For Tinubu, Obi in the February 2023 presidential election.

    Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuayi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) are not with their party’s flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on account of the refusal of the PDP national chairman, Dr.Iyorchia Ayu to quit his office despite promising to leave in the event of the emergence of a northerner as a presidential candidate.

    Sources close to the group said that the five governors are not on the same page on who they should now support among the leading presidential candidates outside of Atiku.

    The governors and their supporters in the newly formed Integrity Group, are understood to have foreclosed the possibility of ever reconciling with Atiku or supporting his 2023 presidential ambition.

    One of the sources said yesterday that the PDP leadership has refused to show any meaningful commitment to addressing the concerns of the G5 governors and other concerned stakeholders of the party ahead of the general elections.
    PDP G5 Governors splits over support for Obi, Tinubu
    “I don’t see any possibility of reconciliation. And this, I can tell you, is the current position of things within the Integrity Group led by the G5 governors of the PDP,” the source said over who the governors would support.

    “The presidential candidate and the leadership of the party have refused to show commitment to the restructuring we seek within our party ahead of the general elections.

    “Instead, they have been boasting that they can win presidency without us. How can people be shouting reconciliation on one hand and be boasting on the other hand? Who does that? The demands of the G5 governors are not personal. But they don’t seem to see it that way.”

  • Wike inaugurates Osisioma interchange, Aba-Owerri Road in Abia

    Wike inaugurates Osisioma interchange, Aba-Owerri Road in Abia

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Monday inaugurated the Osisioma Interchange and Aba-Owerri Road projects in Aba.

    Wike, speaking during the event, said the projects indicated the Abia State Government’s commitment to transforming the state and improving the welfare of its people.

    “Abia is not one of the states that receive huge allocation but because of your determination, this project is a reality.

    ” The state government under your watch has made indelible footprints in the sands of time and I commend you for these achievements.

    “I want to urge you to continue to work for the people of Abia till your last day in office,” he added.
    The Rivers governor said he did not associate with people who have nothing to show but with those who have something to offer like Okezie Ikpeazu.

    He said that Ikpeazu had justified his mandate despite Abia’s lean resources, pointing out that history would be kind to the governor.

    Wike described Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia as a dependable ally, adding that Ikpeazu had shown capacity by delivering the dividends of democracy to Abia people.

    Ikpeazu, in his speech, had said the projects were initiated to solve the gridlock challenge experienced by commuters around the Osisioma junction.

    Ikpeazu said that the essence of government and governance was to solve the peoples’ problems by changing their socio-economic narratives and making their lives better.

    He said that the projects would greatly promote the trade and commerce sector of the state and prayed that the flyover would beget other projects.

    “Before the construction of the interchange , people used to spend two to three hours in traffic at this junction.
    “We decided to respond to the traffic challenge here by erecting the interchange and God has strengthened our hands to make the project a reality.

    “The essence of governance is to solve problems of the people and my greatest joy serving you as governor is the opportunity you have given me through your ballot to change things.

    “I thank God that despite odds we have come to the point where we can say that our problem here at Osisioma is now a thing of the past”, Ikpeazu added.

    Abia’s Commissioner for Works, Mr Bob Ogu, said the projects were conceptualised in 2015 by the present administration while the construction work began in 2017.

    Ogu added that more people-oriented projects would be executed before the end of the administration of Gov. Ikpeazu by 2023.

    Earlier, Chairman Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area (LGA), Chief Christian Kamalu, described the projects as welcome developments.

    Kamalu added that the projects, for which Osisioma people would be ever grateful, had contributed to ease of doing business in Abia and given an aesthetic enhancement to the area.