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Tag: Okezie Ikpeazu

  • Just In: I will show all my enemies in PDP pepper – Wike vows

    Just In: I will show all my enemies in PDP pepper – Wike vows

     

    …says they gave Okowa, Saraki position

    …once campaigns start we will know the boys

     

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has vowed that he will not leave his battle without showing his political detractors pepper.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Wike made this declaration while inaugurating the Osisioma Flyover built in Aba, Abia by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said, God has given him the wherewithal to crush his enemies in the party.

    The Governor insisted that he had the capacity to flog his opposers, whom he described as small boys, saying he won’t wait to “flog them with pepper”.

    Wike, who spoke in tongues to the amusement of the crowd, said efforts by some of his party leaders to break his ranks would end in futility.

    He said that persons trying to infiltrate his team to weaken their resolve failed to understand their modus operandi.

    Wike hinted that they were simply forerunners to the real actors behind the scene adding that trying to break the team was a mistake.

    Speaking on his response when Ikpeazu suggested he should leave matters to God, he said: “I was on plane with him and we were discussing and he said why won’t I leave this thing for God and I said what do you mean by that?

    “Why are you overcrowding God? God has given me what it takes for me to crush these people, for me to crush my enemies and you are telling me I should leave it for God.
    No. God has given me what it takes. God has so many things to do. There are the ones I should do and there are the ones I should call God.

    “Now that I know I have the capacity to flog these small boys and you want me to go and leave it for God. I am going to flog them pepper. Anybody who doesn’t understand that let him know that I am not going to wait at all. All those ones who are talking in my state calm down, when we start campaigning, we will know who is who”.

    On efforts to infiltrate their ranks, he said: “I don’t associate myself with those who cannot show anything. I associate myself with people I know have something to offer. Ikpeazu I want to say it without fear or favour and without any contradiction, you are a man that knows what to do for his people.

    “I and Ikpeazu have come a long way. People do not understand relationship. They think relationship can be bought with money. No relationship can be bought with me. That is why when I read on pages of newspaper, they said some people were making attempts to break my rank and I say they don’t understand the modus operandi of what we are doing.

    “If they understand the modus operandi they won’t waste their time. If you like go and meet Ikpeazu, Seyi, Ortom, Ugwuanyi, you don’t even understand the modus operandi.

    “These are not the people doing what you are seeing. We are using ourselves as if we are the people. We are not the people so you are making mistakes”.

    Wike told the crowd that the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, described Ikpeazu as a boy because they were seeking justice and fairness in the party.

    The Governor said the party had distributed positions to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and former Senate President Bukola Saraki but had nothing to offer Abia State.

    He said even government positions such as Senate Presidency and Secretary to Federal Government had been allotted to people without anything yet for Abia.

    He said: “All those they are fighting are those who are projecting their party. They said that Abia State Governor is a boy, Wike is a boy, Seyi is a boy, Ortom is a boy and Enugu is a boy see what the boys are doing. They that are the men should show us what they are doing.

    “Why is Ikpeazu a boy? It is because Ikpeazu said agreement is agreement. You told me you will do this, now time has come for you to do it you don’t want to do it. Is it good? Ikpeazu said look you have shared to this one, you shared to Atiku, you shared to Okowa and you shared to Saraki, which one did you share to Ikpeazu?

    “When you are sharing Senate President to so so person, you shared secretary to government to so so person, which one have you given to the people of Abia.

    “Nobody should bother about any abuses on me. I don’t even know whether they are abusing me. If they like let them put everything in social media and abuse me we will know who is relevant or not at the appropriate time.

    “Politics is not to go on pages of newspaper. It is not to go and buy TV spots and talk. Politics is who will deliver at the appropriate time. That is the key. If you like keep abusing me.

    “What is important is when the time comes, we will know. When the jungle matures we will know those who can stand crisis. We will know those who have the capacity to say this is where our state will go.

    “Ikpeazu is one of those governors with the capacity to decide what the people of Abia will do. So don’t bother yourselves. when I wake up in the morning and nothing had been said against me I am worried because it makes me happy when they talk about Wike. I appeal to them don’t stop keep talking about Wike.

    “We have not started campaign. When I came back yesterday where I went to enjoy myself; life is full of enjoyment. I went to enjoy my life and they said I went for a meeting. My business now is to work and enjoy”.

  • BREAKING: NBTE restores Abia State Polytechnic’s accreditation

    BREAKING: NBTE restores Abia State Polytechnic’s accreditation

    The accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State has been restored by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Barr Eze Chikamnayo, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

    According to Barr Chikamnayo, the restoration of Abia State Polytechnic’s accreditation by the NBTE was made possible by the intervention of the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

    Recall that a few weeks ago, the accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic Aba was withdrawn by the NBTE in curious and controversial circumstances. The development was greeted with outrage and sadness by the people of the State.

    “Consequently, His Excellency, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu rose to the occasion propelled by the fact that the welfare of our citizens has always been of utmost concern to his administration beyond all other legalistic consideration .

    “We are, therefore , happy to announce that the accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba has been restored by the National Board of Technical Education ,NBTE owing to gallant efforts of our Dear Governor,” Chikamnayo stated.

    According to the Commissioner, the achievement was made possible by the provision of N450 million by the State Government to bail out the institution, and also by the immediate adoption of far-reaching reforms aimed at establishing sustainable growth and best practices in the institution.

  • Abia gov urges Abians to elect PDP candidate as his successor

    The governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on Abians to elect the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Uche Ikonne, to ensure development gets to all parts of the state.

     

    In his words: “Ikonne will not just continue from where we stopped, he will ensure that development gets to all parts of the state.”

     

    Ikonne, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, emerged as the candidate of the PDP in next year’s general elections after polling 468 votes in the just-concluded state party primary election.

     

    Ikpeazu, who made the call while receiving in audience Abia State Market Chairmen Forum and Executives of Abia State Market Traders Association (ASMATA) at the Governor’s Lodge in Aba, described Prof. Ikonne as a man with the right experience and administrative qualities to further consolidate on the gains recorded by his administration.

     

    According to Ikpeazu, Ikonne has been able to distinguish himself in various positions of trust he has held in the state and said that he has no doubt that the governorship candidate of the party would use his wealth of experience to ensure that Abians enjoy nothing but the best from the incoming administration.

     

    Ikpeazu while assuring that his administration would use the remaining months to complete some of the ongoing projects said, “I am excited that you people have endorsed Prof. Uche Ikonne to be the governor of the state in 2023.

     

    “My joy is that some of the roads that we have done in the past 7 years, including Ukaegbu, Umuola, and others are still standing without potholes.

     

    “The idea is that the next governor, Prof. Ikonne, will inherit some of the roads that I built and will be able to construct his own.

     

    “But if I had built ‘Dubai’ roads, he would end up spending his time reconstructing the roads that I have built without having the time to build his own.

     

    “As I said, I am happy that you people have endorsed Prof. Ikonne and I am confident that he (Ikonne) is not going to disappoint you.

     

    “At Omuma road, you will notice that we are doing cement pavement technology and will be asphalting it before handing it over for use.

     

    “Between now and the next few years, people will be marveled at the kind of infrastructural development that will be recorded here.

     

    “Let me also thank you for your support. People should ask those coming to ask them to vote for them to point to what they have been able to do for the people in the last years before coming to seek your votes.”

     

    In his speech, the leader of the group, Deacon Obioma Daniel, the Chairman of Aba North Shoe Industrial Market and chairman Abia State Market Chairmen Forum described the choice of Ikonne as the flagbearer of the PDP in the 2023 election as the right one.

     

    Daniel, who said that the emergence of Ikonne was divine, pledged the support of traders towards ensuring that the PDP gubernatorial candidate emerged governor of the state in 2023.

     

    He stated that they have implicit confidence that Ikonne, whom he described as a seasoned administrator, will pilot the affairs of the state creditably and also protect the interest of the traders as Ikpeazu has done over the years.

  • How Methodist Prelate, Uche was released – Abia Gov, Ikpeazu

    The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has attributed the release of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche to the grace of God.

    He also attributed the release to the fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Ikpeazu made this known in a statement released by Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

    The statement reads: “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed delight at the release from kidnappers’ captivity of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. SCK Uche, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt Rev Okechukwu Michael and the Prelate’s Chaplain.

    “Governor Ikpeazu has spoken with the Prelate who is in high spirits. The Governor is grateful to God Almighty for His saving grace.

    “The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria is a son of Abia State. They were kidnapped on Sunday around the Nkwoagu – Leru axis in Umunneochi LGA, off the Enugu – PH Expressway.

    “The Governor attributed the release of these eminent men of God within 24 hours of their abduction to the grace of God, the fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.

    “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assures that security will be stepped up around the Isuikwuato – Umunneochi axis of the State where there has, in the recent past, been a spike in the activities of criminals.

    “The Governor stated that the location of the area around the state’s borders with 4 states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi makes it attractive to criminals who easily enter the State and also escape through any of these routes.

    “The Governor called for Inter State Collaboration with the neighboring states in securing those areas and stamp out the activities of criminals there”.

    Meanwhile, TNG reports the police in Abia, confirming the release of the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, as saying it was not clear if a ransom was paid or not.

    Police spokesman, SP Godfrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the release of the clergymen in Umuahia on Monday, made this known.

    The assailants kidnapped Uche alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the prelate’s chaplain and the driver at the Okigwe/Isuochi axis on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    The clergymen were heading to Owerri Airport en-route Lagos after a Sunday service, when they were attacked and taken away.

    The assailants had contacted relations of the victims, demanding a N100 million ransom.

    It was not clear whether the ransom was paid or not before they were set free.

    SP Ogbonna declined further comments on the development, but said: “all I can confirm to you now is that they have all been released.’’

    Also, the Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral, Umuahia, Very Rev. Aaron Akabuokwu, confirmed the cheering news to newsmen.

    “It is true that the evil men that laid their hands on the men of God have set them free to the glory of God.

    “Information reaching us is that the prelate, along with other victims, has been released.

    “I don’t have details for now on where and how they were released by the kidnappers,’’ he said.

  • PDP primaries: Gov Ikpeazu wins Senatorial ticket

    Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on Tuesday picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the 2023 general election.

    Gov. Ikpeazu, the lone aspirant, emerged unopposed as the party’s candidate at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

    Chief Ndidi Okereke, the Returning Officer, while announcing the result, said 198 delegates were accredited for the exercise.

    Okereke said Ikpeazu polled a total of 198 votes and emerged unopposed as the winner of the primary election.

    Speaking after the exercise, Ikpeazu thanked the party leadership, and lauded the conduct of the election which he described as “clean and transparent”.

    He said he was poised to evolve programmes and policies that would change the fortunes of Abia South Senatorial District in the days ahead.

    Ikpeazu said he would deliver quality representation and protect the interest of the people, if he emerged winner at the 2023 senatorial election.

    “I want to thank the delegates from the six local government areas and dedicate this victory to our statutory delegates.

    “They have been excluded from today’s exercise not because of any wrong on their part but because of some laws that have not received assent from Mr President.

    “I am particularly interested in women, youths and the voiceless. I pray that Almighty God will through the instrumentality of the mandate you have given me, the power, strength, opportunity and privilege to serve Abia South people to the best of my ability,” he said.

    The exercise which started at 3:45 p.m. was peaceful and conducted under water-tight security, as 198 delegates from six local government areas in the senatorial district participated.

    The areas include Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

  • 2023 Governorship: Prof Ikonne leads PDP Abia Central aspirants

    2023 Governorship: Prof Ikonne leads PDP Abia Central aspirants

    It is not true that the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State has anointed Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University, as a possible successor of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, multiple sources confirmed at the party secretariat in Umuahia on Monday.

    What is true is that stakeholders in his zone are making a case for Ikonne, an optometrist, as its most suitable aspirant. The party has not reached any decision.

    The sources confirmed that, “Professor Ikonne was one of the aspirants that stakeholders in their zone is proposing. These processes are in line with the consultations that the party leadership has held, resulting in the zoning of the position to three local government areas of Abia Central, and Abia North. Ikonne is from Abia Central.

    “He is qualified. Party members in his zone say so. His emergence to the forefront of the race aligns with the processes of the consultations we have been holding. Other aspirants are likely to indicate their interests soon.

    “Of course, one person or two cannot reach a decision of this magnitude. The various levels of the party will make the decision as was agreed during the consultations,” the party sources said.

    “Still following the statement State Chairman of PDP Dr. Alswell Asiforo made on Sunday night, Abia North is also expected to produce aspirants from its zone for the primaries.”

    Professor Ikonne is from Agburuike-Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North, one of the three Ngwa local government areas in Abia Central, also known as Umunneato. The other two local government areas are Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma.

    Professor Ikonne attended Ngwa High School, Aba and studied Optometry at Manila Central University, Philippines. He has a specialist Master’s degree in Hospital Administration from St. Jude College in the Philippines.

    Ikonne served as Consulting Optometrist at the Park Lane General Hospital, Enugu. He earned a PhD in Environmental Health Science from Abia State University, where he became the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor in December 2015. He had served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University from 2010-2014.

  • 2023 Governorship: Ikpeazu promises to disclose leaning soon

    2023 Governorship: Ikpeazu promises to disclose leaning soon

    Abia State Governor Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has assured Abia stakeholders that he will reveal his preference of a successor and political direction soon.

    Ikpeazu spoke in response to requests from Bende PDP stakeholders who paid him a solidarity visit at Government House, Umuahia.

    Abia State has increasing anxiety concerning the geo-political direction, also referred to as zoning, of the gubernatorial succession in the State. The Governor has remained above the fray. Instead, he committed to abiding by the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    One group contends that the gubernatorial seat should return to Abia North Senatorial Zone as the three senatorial zones have had their turn. The other group says it should revert to the Ngwa side of the Abia Central Senatorial Zone. Most of the arguments cite the Abia Charter of Equity 1981 between the Aba Division comprising parts of Abia South and Abia Central and Umuahia Division (old Bende), including parts of Abia Central and Abia North.

    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the first civilian Governor of the State, hailed from Abia North, though he now belongs to Ebonyi State and served two years. Orji Uzor Kalu also followed from Abia North and served eight years. He handed over to Chief Theodore Orji whose side of Abia Central is in old Bende, also had an eight-year tenure.

    Incumbent governor Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is from Abia South and will conclude eight years in May 2023.

    Those from Abia North or the former Umuahia Division have done 18 years. The equity advocates argue that it should remain in Ngwa part of Abia Central for another eight years.

    Against this backdrop, Ikpeazu responded to the Bende PDP stakeholders.

    “I have witnessed the two transitions in this State. I was here when Governor Orji Uzor Kalu managed his transition. He showed the way, and we all followed. My immediate predecessor also played his part during his time and showed the way we all followed. The lot is on me now, and I will live up to that obligation. I will show the way, and I know that we will follow,” Ikpeazu said.

    Ikpeazu assured, “Ndi Bende, unu sim gbaa torch. Azutalam battery and agam agba torch ahu in a matter of days.” It means, Bende people, you have asked me to put on the torch. I have bought batteries, and I will deploy the torch in a matter of days.

    The PDP processes for these matters across the country are due to be commerce in full swing in a few days.

  • Gov Ikpeazu insists Abia PDP will choose guber candidate

    Gov Ikpeazu insists Abia PDP will choose guber candidate

    Abia State Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has pledged to ensure that the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state “emerges through the decision of the party.”

    Ikpeazu so declared at a meeting of leaders of the Abia State PDP held on Wednesday 16 March 2022 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

    PDP leaders, in turn, commended “the decision of the State Governor that the leadership of the Party and all the ward chapters will participate in charting a direction towards the emergence of a worthy flag bearer.”

    Governor Ikpeazu told the party executives that he benefitted from the decision of the party twice and would not stand in the way of the party in exercising a similar choice for his successor.

    Ikpeazu stated, “I affirm that the choice of the people and the party is my choice. I am a democrat brought up and elevated by the choice and decision of our party members. You are the ones to make the choice. I can only provide guidance and counsel. I respect the supremacy of the party and the voice of the majority”.

    Abia State Chairman of the PDP Rt.Hon. Alwell Asiforo Okere, PhD and State Secretary Barr Iro David disclosed the decisions in a communique issued on Wednesday in Umuahia.

    Participants at the meeting were members of the State Working Committee, State Executive Committee Members, Local Government Executive Committee Members of the Party and Principal Officers of the one hundred and eighty-four (184) wards in the State.

    Ikpeazu’s declaration comes as party faithful and other stakeholders in Abia State politics await his direction or lean towards a successor as his tenure ends in May 2023. Contentions on representation based on the Abia Charter of Equity or the zoning formula to adopt.

    The Abia PDP leaders pledged to work harmoniously and “mobilise all Party resources to work for the success of our Party’s candidate at the general election come 2023”.

    The PDP leaders also passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ikpeazu “for his giant strides in the state”. Those strides include “outstanding improvements in Foreign Direct Investments as captured by the records of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS)” and “for his ability to make Abia State the West African hub for Small and Medium Enterprises”.

  • Insecurity: Gov Ikpeazu imposes curfew in Aba, Umuahia

    Insecurity: Gov Ikpeazu imposes curfew in Aba, Umuahia

    …says security reports from multiple sources connote danger

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, Monday, 5th April, 2021 till further notice.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the security situation in the south east geo-political izone n the last week took an alarming shape.

    Abia state is one of the key states in the region and a commercial haven to the zone.

    In a statement signed by the commissioner for Information, Chief John Kalu, the Governor said:

    “This is sequel to security reports received from multiple sources, and informed by the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.

    Security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive. Only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.

    We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property.

    All law abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal duties, outside the curfew period, without fear of molestation as the security architecture of the state is robust enough to guarantee their safety.

  • ASUP petitions Abia govt. over 20 months unpaid salaries

    ASUP petitions Abia govt. over 20 months unpaid salaries

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has sent a petition to the National Human Right Commission over 20 months unpaid salaries by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.

    Mr Anderson Ezeibe, National President of ASUP, stated this in a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary of the commission and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    Ezeibe said that the governor had refused to pay salaries to its members in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, for the past 20 months.

    “We are compelled to bring to the attention of the Commission the refusal of the Abia State Government (proprietor of the institution), Governing Council and Management of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba to honour its contractual obligations to our members in the institution for a cumulative period of 20 months.

    “Our members in this institution covering all teaching staff of the Polytechnic are owed salaries from July 2018 to October, 2019 and from March 2020 till July 2020.

    “This is despite several entreaties to the institution’s management, governing council and the Government of Abia State to pay the accrued salaries.

    ”It is noteworthy to point out that since the escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria in March 2020, the members have not received any salary and have been living in serious discomfort as no form of palliative has been extended to them.

    “Our union sees this development as a violation of the fundamental rights of our members in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba particularly as it affects their rights to just and favourable conditions of work guaranteed by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

    “This development also undermines our members’ rights to life and the dignity of the human person clearly captured in Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and by extension has also adversely affected their dependents access to same rights,” he said.

    The union president said that it was the union’s view that the situation should not be allowed to degenerate further as its members’ rights to adequate health care, shelter and food had equally been violated by the activities of the Abia State Government and Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.

    According to him, “we therefore pray the intervention of the commission in the direction of compelling the Abia State Government and the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba to release the 20 months owed salaries of our members.

    “They are also to ensure forthwith the regular payment of salaries of these staff in line with the terms of their engagement,” he said.