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Tag: south east

  • Presidency: It’s time for South-East – Afenifere leader, Adebanjo opens up

    Presidency: It’s time for South-East – Afenifere leader, Adebanjo opens up

    Leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has told presidential aspirants from the South-West geopolitical zone including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, to forget their presidential ambitions.

    Adebanjo said it was the turn of the igbos to become Nigeria’s president saying it’s long overdue.

    He said the South-East should produce Nigeria’s next President after the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

    Adebanjo made this stand in an interview by journalist in Lagos on Tuesday.

    According to him, it is an injustice for a South-West President to emerge in 2023 after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo from Ogun State had ruled from 1999 to 2007; while Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, also from Ogun State, has been in government since May 2015 and would have spent eight years in power by May 2023.

    He added that the South-West zone has been ably represented in the presidency too, claiming now the Igbos should have it.

    He said the South-South had both President and Vice-President positions with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between 2007 and 2010 (as VP) and from 2010 to 2015 (as President).

    The 94 year-old man said that the country should be secured first of all ,saying security of lives and properties should come first.

    “Right now, is there a country for them to be President? There must be one country first before you can talk of an election. Is this the country Jonathan handed over to Buhari? Whether a Southern or a Northern candidate, let us unite everyone. We can’t get everyone united until we change this constitution.

  • IPOB declares ‘no more sit at home’ in South East

    IPOB declares ‘no more sit at home’ in South East

    Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has abrogated its sit at home directive in South East Nigeria, saying the development is to embrace peace negotiations organised by the Anambra government.

    According to reports on Saturday from Awka that IPOB yielded to the appeal by the Anambra Government and Traditional rulers to pave the way for peace, since all Igbo stakeholders and religious leaders have declared their intention to find a lasting solution to insecurity and incessant sit-at-home directives in the South East.

    The decision was disclosed by the Chairman, Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, during a one-day peace building and security meeting held in Awka on Saturday.

    His Royal Highness, Igwe Achebe, who is also the Igwe of Onitsha, said that the stakeholders have continually held meetings on the way forward to lasting resolutions of the impasse with the agitators.

    He said that after its meeting with the group on Friday, April 1, it was agreed that a call to release the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would be a step to dousing the tension in the state.

    He said that after the meeting, the group placed a call to all its members to sheathe their swords, put down their guns and go the way of dialogue.

    “We call on all who had taken the way of gun to put down their guns and take up the olive leaf from the government to better themselves,” Achebe said.

    He said that the state government has set April 4 for prayers aimed at seeking God’s face to restore a lasting peace in Anambra and South East as whole.

    NAN quoted Achebe as indicating that it was agreed that on April 4, all churches in Igboland and South East will join in prayers to seek God’s forgiveness and to restore peace in the area.

    “Igboland has lost so much in economic and social development of the zone and we are tired of the situation and want peace,” the traditional ruler said.

    According to him, “It is agreed that on Sunday, April 3, all churches will announce the IPOB decision to their faithful to come out on Monday 11am to their various churches to offer prayers to God for the restoration of peace and economic development.”

    NAN reports that lots of other speakers at the meeting spoke in line with the decision.

    The speakers include Mr Uche Okafor, Anambra Speaker, who assured assured that the legislators would partner with the state government to enthrone lasting peace and economic development of the state and the zone.

    Chief Damin Ogene-Okeke, the National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged the public to embrace the decision to establish peace building amongst “ourselves and work towards improving security sanity in the state”.

    He called on the governors of the South East States to represent their people well and speak the minds of the citizens who elected them into office.

  • IPOB chooses naming second River Niger Bridge “Achuzie Bridge”

    IPOB chooses naming second River Niger Bridge “Achuzie Bridge”

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has kicked against the move to name the second River Niger Bridge after President Muhammadu Buhari, choosing it to be called “Achuzie Bridge” or any other accomplished Igbo patriots.

    The group, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said it rejects naming the bridge after Buhari, saying South-East youths have been slaughtered by security agents with reckless abandon under Buhari’s watch.

    IPOB noted that no Igboman has been named after any big project in the North.

    The group said, “Under his watch, terrorists masquerading as Fulani herdsmen have invaded our communities killing innocent men and women after destroying our farms with their cows.”

    The group also debunked the allegation by the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, that IPOB disturbed the construction of the second Niger Bridge.

    It said, “This is another lie from the pit of hell. We want to challenge Fashola to substantiate his claims. Did IPOB in any way physically interfere with the construction of the bridge by either directly or indirectly hindering any worker either foreign or local handling the project?

    “Fashola should know that if not for IPOB that has ensured security in the South East, the workers of Julius Berger would have run away from the site a long time ago. If the second Niger Bridge is being done in the North, Boko Haram, Ansaru, ISWAP, and the pampered bandits would have chased them away. That shows them that South East is more peaceful than the North.”

    It also stated that “sycophants” in the Buhari administration derive joy in calling IPOB names to deceive the President.

    The statement read in part, “South East has more credible names and more important persons who the Federal Government can name the second Niger bridge after. We have a galaxy of accomplished Africans like Chief Chinua Achebe, Chu Okongwu, Cyprain Ekwensi, Alexander Ekwueme, Chief Michael Okpara, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Mbonu Ojike, Chief Kenneth Dike, Eni Njoku, Dora Akunyili, Dr Sam Mbakwe, Achuzie, Phillips Efiong and the living legend Chief Amaechi Mbazuruike.

    “All these names mentioned above are eminently qualified for second Niger Bridge to be named after them. The Second Niger Bridge was awarded in 1979 by the Shehu Shagari regime and since then, no administration found it worthy to execute it but IPOB agitation for self-determination pushed this APC administration to reluctantly embark on its construction using the funds past Nigerian politicians looted and starched away in Europe.

    “We are aware of the condition given by a certain European country that they will only release stolen funds starched away in their country if the funds will be channeled towards the construction of the Second Niger Bridge.

    “This is what compelled the Nigerian government to embark on the Bridge project not out of love for the Igbo people of Biafra. We reject naming the bridge after Buhari when we have other better names.”

  • 2023: South East PDP throws weight behind Southern governors’ position on zoning of presidency to south

    2023: South East PDP throws weight behind Southern governors’ position on zoning of presidency to south

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East geo-political zone has thrown its weight behind the position of the Southern Governors’ Forum that the next president of Nigeria should come from the southern part of Nigeria.

    To this end, the zone directed that the existing zoning patterns in states and constituencies of the zone must be strictly observed and adhered to in every state and constituency of the zone.

    The Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) made this revelation in a meeting with the PDP members attended by the leader of the Party in the South East and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Sam Anyanwu, members of the State and National Assemblies, members of PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) members, among others, the National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Ali Odefa disclosed that it was unanimously agreed that the PDP should zone the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Southern part of the country ahead of the party primaries.

    Chief Odefa added that the PDP South East stands with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum “that the Office of the Presidency should be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria”.

    On the issue of zoning at the state and constituency levels in the zone, the PDP National Vice Chairman stated: “We said where there are zoning patterns they must be strictly observed and adhered to in every state and constituency”.

    Chief Odefa added: “We also went ahead to make interventions for our members who are holding political and elective positions in Anambra State who didn’t defect to other political parties in the time of the election but stood by the party (PDP) in times of bad weather, that they should be given support to return back to their various offices”.

    He, therefore, revealed that the zonal leadership of the party will make a presentation to the National Working Committee for assistance in that regard.

  • Buhari condemns violence in South East

    Buhari condemns violence in South East

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described as “deeply distressing” the wanton destruction of the buildings and assets of the Police and home of Prof. George Obiozor in Imo state.

    Obiozor is the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, and a leading voice of moderation in the affairs of the country.

    In a statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, on Sunday in Abuja, the president, who condemned the violence in the sub-region, urged everyone to maintain peace.

    According to him, the law and order situation in the entire South-east is being reviewed.

    The president, therefore, called on the people of Imo in particular and the sub-region in general, to maintain peace as the police and other agencies are working to ensure that normalcy is restored soon.”

    He extended sympathies to the police authorities over the losses of men and materials, and to Obiozor whom he urged to maintain his commitment to the ”peace and oneness of the federation against these senseless terrorists.”

  • 2023: South-East suffering from loyalty to Atiku in 2019 – Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    2023: South-East suffering from loyalty to Atiku in 2019 – Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has claimed that the current security challenges facing the South-East is as a result of Igbo loyalty to Atiku Abubakar in 2019.

    The Igbo group warned the former Vice President and other politicians that any promotion of the northern continuation in power after 8 years of President Muhammadu Buhari would be seen as callous, voracious and selfish.

    Ohanaeze was reacting to Atiku’s recent boastful stance of winning the 2023 PDP Presidential ticket again, describing such belief as nostalgic.

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said that Atiku was only presenting himself as a desperate politician and is swimming against the political currents and tides of the moment.

    “Atiku has misread the mood of the nation ahead of 2023, and this miscalculation may retire him from partisan politics in 2023,” Ohanaeze said in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

    He said, “Atiku has the constitutional rights to aspire to the office of President in 2023, but one had expected him not to rock the boat now that the odds are against him based on his age and his region.

    “He should not fight dirty or appear desperate for the presidency, rather it’s time for him to voluntarily quit partisan politics and take his rightful place in history as an elder statesman without being dishonored and disgraced.

    “Ndigbo had expected that Atiku Abubakar should support a younger person, for 2023, especially after the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike openly denounced Atiku’s proposal for him to be his running mate in 2023. It is enough message and signal to him that 2023 is exclusively reserved for a Southern President.

    “Atiku should search his conscience and support an Igbo in the PDP primaries to avert a disgraceful end of his political career. The Southern Nigerian leaders and Governors have vowed that it’s unhealthy for another northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    “In 2019, Ndigbo showed enough loyalty to the PDP and Atiku Abubakar, and the present predicaments and penalties facing the Southeast today, was as a result of the support Ndigbo gave to Atiku and the PDP, but in 2023, Igbos will dump PDP if Atiku wins the PDP ticket.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo in alliance with other ethnic groups will ensure that any political party that refuses to zone their presidential ticket to the South will suffer in the 2023 presidential election, If Atiku continues, he will surely taste the venom of Nigerians in the PDP primaries and disgrace awaits him.”

  • 2023: Native doctors vouch support for South East political class

    2023: Native doctors vouch support for South East political class

    A group of native doctors and traditional religion practitioners under the aegis of Ofor N’Ogu Ndigbo Amaka Cultural Association have expressed their readiness to render support to the political class from the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

    President of the Association, Traditional Doctor Anthony Uzokwe dropped the hint in during an interview at a get-together of the association that held at Ojoto, Idemili South Council of Anambra State.

    Uzokwe stressed that they are ready to build bridges ahead of the 2023 general elections to ensure that one of their own clinches the coveted seat of the president.

    The group said they want to play active role in the quest to successfully get the backing of other parts of the country in getting a President from the South East area in the coming 2023 general elections.

    Uzokwe said that though they are not politicians, “…but we are part of the citizens of Nigeria and all that affect other people affect us too.

    “Our membership cut across age, gender, social class and continents, hence we cannot pretend. We are ready and well positioned to use our large membership base that spread to all states of the Federation, and countries of the world to build political bridges across Nigeria.

    “And that will make it easy for an acceptable and sellable presidential candidate to emerge from the South East zone”.

    Uzokwe further disclosed that the association was set up by people of like minds to come together, pray and pour libation to the progenitors and ancestral forebears for healing, development, peace and justice to be restored to Nigeria, especially Igboland.

    Chief Uzokwe said that the Ofor mandate which was handed over to them from Agu-ukwu Nri was meant to do good and to eliminate every form of negative and atrocious acts from our communities.

    The Vice President of the group, Ozo Omekannia, Stone N’Omor in an exclusive interview said the group stands for the uplifting and preservation of culture, custom and tradition of Ndigbo. Was hopeful that with wider sensitization, every form of abominable/negative tendencies and anti-social acts would be eliminated.

    On the coming general election, he noted that since other key zones in the country have taken their turns on the seat, fairness demands a collective support for the South East to mount the saddle in 2023.

    Chief Chinedu Ihekigbo, Agu N’Eche Mba of Uli in Ihiala Council of Anambra State said the group was set up to uplift and preserve the restoration of Igbo custom and tradition.

    Ihekigbo who is also the chairman of the diaspora chapter of the group said he has travelled to virtually al parts of the world and discovered they all preserved their traditions, “hence the need to ensure that ours is preserved. Because that is our identity”.

    Ivory Coast based patron of the group, High Chief Simon Umeh, Ichie Ezeude from Umuoji appealed to all members to work as a team so as to achieve the set target.

    Another patron, Eze Ebube Ojoto -Dennis Okafor promised to take the group and her potentials to great heights across geopolitical zones and overseas.

    He charged them to look beyond gathering to make merry from time to time, but to adopt activities to lift humanity, Igbo culture, tradition and tourism.

  • Pensioners hail Buhari for approving use of technology-driven verification

    Pensioners hail Buhari for approving use of technology-driven verification

    Pensioners in the South-East have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the use of technology-driven verification to stamp out all forms of stress in the pension system.

    The pensioners gave the commendation at the launch of “Am Alive” Application by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in the South-East in Enugu on Friday.

    They were of the view that President Buhari has continued to accord pensioners unprecedented respect and commitment to their welfare throughout his administration.

    Chief Temple Ubani, President-General of Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, said that Buhari had changed the tide and system of pension administration by the singular act of approving technology to assist the system.

    “It is clear that our amiable President is continually thinking on how to better our lots and this will be further achieved by the ‘Am Alive’ application that can be operated in the comfort of our homes.

    “Operating the Am Alive application is so simple with a few steps you are through and given a confirmation,” Ubani said.

    Mr Edwin Ofoegbu, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Enugu State, said that Buhari’s administration through PTAD had changed the pension system administration to the extent that we have a clear departure from the recent past.

    Ofoegbu said that the Am Alive application is such a transformational initiative, adding that those days of traveling from one’s home to a far destination for verification are over.

    “Slumping of pensioners on queue is over as well as pensioners being stranded, turning into destitute and beggars in the city for their verification is over.

    “At least in my lifetime, I have seen the ‘Change’ President Buhari has promised through the new way and how senior citizens of this great country are treated fairly, with respect and love,” he said.

    Mr Emma Adu, National Secretary of NITEL/MTEL Pensioners, thanked the Federal Government through PTAD for coming up with an application “so easy and less cumbersome’’ that elderly people can relate to.

    “We salute President Buhari for the changes we have been seeing as pensioners, being spear-headed by PTAD.

    “The latest being the Am Alive application, which is an innovation worth millions as far as we are concerned as pensioners.

    “The thought, burden of traveling and even some uncertainties at the pension verification centres have been lifted from us with the Am Alive application,” Adu said.

    In an address, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, said that the Am Alive application is a giant step meant to reduce the stress of pensioners going forward; while confirming whether an individual pensioner is alive or not.

    “With the Am Alive application, you can do your verification in the comfort of your home and it will hit the PTAD data-base simultaneously; thus, a stress-free, seamless, concise and friendly technological app all pensioners can relate to.

    “Today’s launch of the application is a test run to determine its workability; while the pensioners here today would act as those that will train their fellow colleagues.

    “In every community you must find or have people using simple android phones that you can use to enter our website and fill up the simple requirements and get your confirmation at the end,” Ejikeme said.

    The executive secretary also revealed that the Federal Government has set up a committee to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health to see to the possibility of placing all senior citizens in a universal health insurance coverage scheme.

    “This arrangement when implemented will ensure optimal health of all our senior citizens and all pensioners will be included and be beneficiaries of the scheme,” she said.

    Earlier, in a Pension Stakeholders Forum (town hall meeting), the pensioners urged PTAD to look into the issue of some pensioners whose names were removed in the payroll but had been verified.

    They also called for creation of a forum where the chairman or secretary of pension unions can relate and interact with PTAD executives on issues bothering their individual members among others.

  • BREAKING: IPOB gives deadline to end consumption of Fulani cow meat in South-East

    BREAKING: IPOB gives deadline to end consumption of Fulani cow meat in South-East

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday said cows reared by Fulani herdsmen would no longer be used for any social event in the South East from April.

    The group stated this in a New Year address by its Head of Directorate Mazi Chika Edoziem through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

    The ban, IPOB said, would take effect from April.

    It said only native cows would be allowed in the region for such events.

    It urged traditional rulers, the clergy and town unions to ensure the message reaches the grassroots.

    The group said: “The ban placed on Fulani cows will take effect in April 2022.

    “Effective that month, Fulani cows will not be used for any social or ceremonial events and festival in Biafraland.

    “Our native cows will be used instead for these events.

    “Traditional custodians of our culture, the clergy and town unions must ensure that this message gets to the grassroots.”

  • South East leaders anoint choice aspirant for 2023 president election

    South East leaders anoint choice aspirant for 2023 president election

    Some political leaders in the South East region of Nigeria have endorsed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as their choice aspirant for the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, among other notable politicians on Monday endorsed the former SGF during a civic reception organized by the Obingwa community to honour some prominent Nigerians.

    In their separate reactions, Wabara, who represented Abia South Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly, described Anyim as one of the most prominent Igbo men that has the capacity to change the ugly narrative of Nigeria and bring new hope for the people.

    “Ndigbo still have qualified personalities in Nigeria. Anyim is the only Igbo man to announce his readiness to contest for President of Nigeria come 2023. We will tell Nigerians, that we have personalities in Igboland. I ask Ndigbo to support the ambition of our brother, Anyim Pius Anyim,” Wabara said.

    Meanwhile, speaking in the vein, Abaribe reaffirmed his stance to galvanize support for a president of Igbo extraction come the 2023 general election, declaring his readiness to fully support the presidential ambition of Anyim.

    “My brother is the only one that has declared his intention to run for the office of the president, I will give him all the support because he has all it takes to make Nigeria better again. Therefore, I encourage all Nigerians to support this noble intention,” Abaribe said.