The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Anambra 2021

  • INEC, Police declares readiness for Nov 6 Anambra Election

    INEC, Police declares readiness for Nov 6 Anambra Election

    IN SPITE of security challenges, the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, declared their readiness for the November 6, 2021 Anambra State Governorship election, with the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba saying that the Police will deploy 34,587 officers, special forces and three helicopters for the poll.

     

    The assurance from the electoral umpire and the police came as the Supreme Court cleared the coast for former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to contest the election as the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.

     

    The apex court verdict threw supporters of APGA into celebration, across the country, yesterday.

     

     

    Police to deploy 34, 587 officers, special forces, 3 helicopters

     

    Towards ensuring a peaceful, free, and fair conduct of elections in Anambra State, IGP Usman Alkali Baba said 34, 587 police personnel, three helicopters, and Special Forces will be deployed to the state.

     

     

    Speaking at a meeting with Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police in Abuja, he noted that based on an Election Security Threat Analysis conducted by the Force Intelligence Bureau, Force headquarters has developed a “Strategic Election Security Operation Order which will involve the mobilization and deployment of a total of 34,587 police personnel.”

     

    He continued: “This will comprise of conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU) as well as Police Medical Teams.

     

     

     

    “We will also be deploying three (3) Police helicopters for aerial surveillance as well as detachments of Marine Police Operatives, specially trained Force Animals, and our unique Technical Intelligence capability towards guaranteeing a safe, secure, and credible electoral process in the State.

     

    “Drawing on our previous election security operations, we have also emplaced adequate forward and reverse logistics arrangements for a seamless police operation and have also made requisite arrangements to address the welfare needs of all personnel being deployed for the operation.

     

     

     

    “In assuring law-abiding citizens and stakeholders of their safety during the election, let me warn subversive elements who are bent on employing violence to attempt to threaten our democratic values, as well as any political actors who may want to adopt undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations to bury such thoughts now or be prepared to face the consequences, as they will be identified, isolated and made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly or lowly placed they may be,” he said.

     

    Anambra guber: We’re ready for improved poll —INEC

     

     

     

    On its part, the INEC said it is ready to conduct a near-perfect governorship election in Anambra.

     

    Professor Yakubu Mahmood, Chairman of INEC, said this at a Workshop for Journalists on Election Processes and Procedures in Awka, on Thursday.

     

    Mahmood, who was represented by Mr Victor Aluko, Director of Publicity in the Commission said the November 6 election would enjoy the deployment of modern technology which would make it more improved than all previous exercises.

     

    He said the entire process from registration to transmission of results would be fully automated including the use of bimodal, which took care of unimodal identification processes which only verified voters by fingerprints.

     

    The chairman said there were a total of 2,525,471 registered voters in the state after an additional 77,471 generated during the just-concluded Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

     

    He urged journalists to help the Commission disseminate the right information as they were crucial to the success of the election process, noting that sending the wrong information could inflame society.

     

    On his part, Mr Chuwkuemeka Nnaji, Head of Department, ICT, INEC Awka Office said the Commission improved on its system using an indigenous team of engineers.

     

    Nnaji said the process was such that human interference was greatly reduced and that data uploaded online would be highly secured from cyber attacks and hackers.

     

    He said the prospective voter would be identified by various fractures including their faces and that nobody would be able to vote twice as the registration had been cleaned up.

     

    According to him, the Commission’s desire of having credible elections is sacrosanct, technology deployment has proven to be an effective tool in achieving the set objectives.

     

    “They need to have one-person-one-vote is what has necessitated the deployment of a Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS);

     

    “The need to ensure the credibility and openness of the Commission has necessitated the deployment of the IReV Portal, so we ask for the cooperation of all to enable the Commission to meet its set objectives,” he said.

     

    In his opening remark, Dr Nwachukwu Orji, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra said the workshop was to update journalists with the progress made ahead of the election.

     

    Orji, who was represented by Mr Samuel Nimem, Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Awka, urged the media to report facts and not engage in interpreting what they did not understand.

     

    He said the Commission was available to journalists who wished to get clarifications while urging them to endeavour to get accreditation for coverage of the election proper.

     

    Supreme court clears coast for Soludo

     

    The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices, voided the judgement of a Jigawa State High Court, which made a consequential order that sacked the Chief Victor Oye-led National Working Committee, NWC, of APGA, and recognized Chief Jude Okeke as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

     

    Justice Musa Ubale of the Jigawa State High Court had in the judgement he delivered on June 30, in suit No. JDU/022/2021, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to only recognize the Okeke-led faction of the party which conducted a parallel primary election that produced Chief Chukwuma Umeoji as APGA’s candidate for the impending governorship poll.

     

    The high court judgement was however voided on August 10 by the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal, which reinstated the Chief Oye-led NWC of the party that organised the primary election that produced Soludo.

     

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, maintained that the Jigawa state high court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain a matter relating to the leadership of a political party.

     

    It, therefore, voided the consequential order that was issued against APGA leadership under Oye.

     

    Dissatisfied with the verdict, Okeke, who was previously the Deputy National Chairman (South) of APGA, took the matter before the Supreme Court, where he lost on Thursday.

     

    Okeke had in processes he filed before the apex court, insisted that he was duly appointed by the National Executive Committee, NEC, of APGA, to act as National Chairman, pending when the party would hold its convention.

     

    However, the apex court panel led by Justice Mary Odili, in their judgement, held that two separate appeals marked SC/CV/650/2021 and SC/CV/687/2021, which were filed by Okeke, lacked merit.

     

    The panel noted that both appeals bordered on who should be recognized as Acting National Chairman of APGA, as well as, whether Oye was validly removed as National Chairman of the party.

     

    It held that the Deputy National Chairman of the party (North), Alhaji Rabiu Aliyu, who filed the substantive suit at the Jigawa state high court that led to the judgement in favour of Okeke, engaged in “forum shopping”.

     

    The apex court held that Aliyu’s action amounted to gross abuse of the judicial process.

     

    While affirming the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, held that the high court in Jigawa state should not have entertained a matter that was clearly outside its territorial jurisdiction, stressing that issues in dispute in the case occurred in Awka and Owerri.

     

    More so, the apex court held that the subject matter of the suit was not justiciable, being an internal affair of a political party.

     

    Justice Odili, who read the lead judgement held that the Supreme Court, having resolved issue six in the appeal marked SC/CV/687/2021, against the Appellant, “the entire foundation of the case collapses”.

     

    She, therefore, dismissed the two appeals and awarded a cost of N1million in favour of the 1st and 2nd Respondents (APGA and Chief Oye).

     

    Jubilation greets Supreme Court ruling in Anambra

     

    There was jubilation in various parts of Anambra State yesterday after the news filtered in that the Supreme Court had ruled that Chief Victor Oye is the authentic national chairman of APGA, and therefore had the authority to nominate the governorship candidate of the party for the forthcoming poll.

     

    Shortly after the news of the judgement of the Supreme Court filtered into the state, many people drove round the streets to express joy that the governorship candidate of APGA, Professor Chukwuma Soludo had overcome all the obstacles on his way as the flag bearer of the party ahead of the November 6 election.

     

    With the judgement, Oye has the right to submit the name of the APGA candidate in the election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

     

    Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, who is the director of media for the APGA campaign organization said Oye’s submission of the name of Soludo to INEC as the APGA candidate in the forthcoming election was, therefore, in accordance with the extant laws of the land.

     

    Adinuba said: “The Supreme Court has, once again, demonstrated that the Nigerian judiciary is a temple of justice. It does not just give judgements, but also dispenses justice.”

     

    APGA hails Supreme Court verdict

     

    The APGA, yesterday, commended the judiciary for their doggedness in defending the cause of democracy against those whose activities are inimical to national development and ethos.

     

    National Chairman of the party, Dr. Victor Ike Oye, in a statement entitled, “Thank you all”, called on APGA members all over the country to continue to work together for the growth and development of the party.

     

    He said: “Today the Supreme Court of Nigeria reaffirmed the leadership of APGA under me by unanimously dismissing the twin-suit filed by one Jude Okeke and his cohorts.

     

    “We thank God for his mercifulness and compassion and for seeing us through the intense legal battles. By this victory we have been called to greater service to our great party.

     

    “The November 6, 2021 Anambra State Governorship Election is drawing closer and this places an additional responsibility on us collectively and individually as members of the party.

     

    “We must guard our loins and take up the gauntlet for the task ahead by ensuring that nothing distracts us as we work for victory in the Anambra State Governorship election.

     

    “We use this opportunity to call on all of us to reach out to our members all over the country about the need to continue to work together for the growth and development of our party. We need everybody on board as we work to reposition our party for 2021 and 2023.

     

    “We thank the judiciary for their doggedness in defending the cause of democracy and shutting out those whose activities are inimical to national development and ethos.”

     

    Supreme court confirmation of Soludo brightens APGA chances – Abia leader

     

    Leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA in Abia State, and member representing Aba South in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita, hailed the Supreme Court judgement, saying the judgement will brighten the party’s chances at the poll.

     

    Hon. Ichita who was addressing newsmen after assuming the role of Leader of APGA in Abia, said the judgement had once again confirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

     

    The lawmaker who predicted a landslide for APGA at the forthcoming Anambra election described Solu do as the man with the economic blueprint to consolidate the foundation and legacies of APGA-led administration in the state.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.vanguardngr.com

  • Onyemelukwe: Anambra Awaits the Arrival of An Amazon

    ANAMBRA AWAITS THE ARRIVAL OF AN AMAZON
    (Chidi Alexandria Onyemelukwe, née Ekwueme)

     

    M.O. ENE

     

    Good leadership depends on how the leaders were raised, how they emerged, how they relate to the people, and how the people relate to them as servant leaders. By far the most dynamic and dedicated candidate in the field of Anambra 2021 gubernatorial race is Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, #LCO.

    In 2020, I projected that the next governor of Anambra State could be a lady. When I saw her among Anambra politicians visiting Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, I noted that #LCO could make it if she contested. It was dismissed principally because of the apparent extraordinary election funding in Anambra State. Instead, the name of a female senator headlined since she had whispered her gubernatorial interest.

    Before the end of expression of interest, #LCO emerged in her political party, PDP. With her #RestoreAnambra team, she hit the ground running like she had PDP in her DNA! She has not disappointed. She has been traversing the state, engaging, and enlightening voters. At a point, I wondered if she was running unopposed!

    Forget gender, forget zone; toe-to-toe, #LCO is the best bet for the restoration and elevation of Anambra State to the status of its nickname, ‘Light of the Nation.’ PDP must rally behind her, a princess of Nigeria’s premier political platform. (Her father, former VP Alex Ekwueme, was the party’s founding father.)

    Last Sunday, I logged into a Zoom interview session with her. She spoke on popular policies from education, environment, industrialization, to information technology. I highlighted the changing demographics of Anambra communities, especially in her Nnewi constituency. As an 042, like yours sincerely, she understands that one thrives where s/he lives and contributes positively to the growth of community. Her government will encourage constructive coexistence through cultural assimilation and such civic responsibilities as paying taxes and voting. This is where community government arises; it is the foundation of thriving societies.

    Though the process is still at the primary level, a new political paradigm is loading. Business-savvy Anambra people can no longer wallow in cash-and-carry politics. She is convincing her fellow citizens to invest in her, as is done in enlightened societies, not allow bankrollers to buy their votes and recoup their pecuniary speculations for four years without delivering decent dividends of democracy.

    If any state can turn the corner on crass cash politics, it is Anambra State. If anyone can change the culture, Chidi can. What is left is for her to raise the volume. Whatever the outcome of any credible election, her voice will trigger a new tradition in the electoral practices of Southeastern Nigeria and beyond.

    Someone reticently referenced the last bewildering gubernatorial race in Imo State during the interview. PDP must not allow such a rotten replay in Anambra. We see now what happens when elections are concocted, and the will of the people is subverted for selfish benefits. As #LCO herself stated, God is her Godfather. God does not like ugly.

    Kudos to her team. It is heartwarming that three-time SSG Oseloka H. Obaze (OHO) is in her corner. As the best governor Anambra did not get in 2017 and with whom she ran as deputy on same PDP ticket, #LCO, will make waves if given the opportunity to serve her beloved state.

    Finally, there is one quality to look for in a person: loyalty in the face of extreme adversity. #LCO has proven beyond doubts to be a loyal lady who stays faithful to family and friends all the time. That counts more than all powers and pennies in the world. In my earnest estimation, regardless of the outcome in the elections, and with all due respect to other contestants, she is the best of the batch of 2021. She will make Anambra proud.

    Ahịa dị mma na-ere onwe ya.
    (A good product sells itself.)

    ©️MOE, June 1, 2021

  • Ifeanyi Ubah Reiterates Commitment Towards Human Capital Development.

    IFEANYI UBAH REITERATES COMMITMENT TOWARDS HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

    Engages Constituents In An Interactive “One On One” Radio Program

    Doles Out Assorted Gift Items To Lucky Winners

     

    By Bertram O. Nwajagu

     

    In line with his principle of accountability and uplifting the wellbeing of the people, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and National Leader of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, on Thursday, reassured his constituents and Anambrarians in general that he would continue to champion life-changing actions that would improve their wellbeing and develop the Igbo economy. The Senator made the remarks during a live interactive radio programme on Authority 91.9FM, Nnewi.

    According to Senator Ubah, human capital development is a very essential part of economic development and as a Senator, this has served as his priority and first-line charge as he not only works towards attracting federal government presence to various parts of Anambra South and the entire State in general but also deploys great efforts in ensuring that he touches lives through various empowerment strategies and programs.

    The Distinguished Senator further maintained that, with adequate government presence , quality policies and programmes, dividends that will better the wellbeing of the people will keep being channelled to the various communities. The YPP National Leader also used the opportunity to call on citizens to remain upbeat and hopeful as he will keep doing his best towards ensuring their general economic well being and human capital upliftment.

    He used yesterday’s event to play host to and dole out various items as promised to the beneficiaries who were lucky winners on a previous radio interactive session with him. The lucky winners who were drawn from various villages in the state, which comprise of men, women and two kids were also given the opportunity of a first-time experience inside a radio studio where they spoke to their loved ones, said prayers for the Senator and narrated their individual stories to the listeners live on radio.

    One of them, Mrs Onyinye Enwelum, who came to the studio to claim her gift narrated how she usually listens whenever the Senator is on air but had never called in because she feels she won’t get through due to the huge traffic caused by other callers trying to engage with the Senator during the program. She said that a voice prompted her to attempt to call, lo and behold her call was connected to the Senator, and like a trance, she became the proud owner of a brand new deep freezer.

    Mrs Enwelum went on to narrate how she is about to start up a new provisions store business and has been buying the items on her list gradually but didn’t find it easy to acquire a refrigerator due to its high cost. She expressed her belief that there is indeed a divine message behind what transpired that night. She insisted that the same divine mandate is behind the events propelling the Senator to the Government House and prayed for the success of the open door revolution.

    A memorable moment that elicited great joy amongst both the audience inside the studio and the listeners during the program was when one of the beneficiaries from Utuh, Mrs Chukwu who won an electric oven while speaking in the studio narrated how her husband Mr Nathaniel Chukwu, an okada rider lost his bike and is presently bedridden as a result of an accident he had some weeks ago .The Anambra South Senator on the spot donated a brand new Motorcycle to the husband and assured him that his Foundation will follow up in order to ensure his total recovery from the accident. Senator Ubah who immediately sent emissaries to locate the man while the radio session was on, spoke with him on phone, and wished him a quick recovery. He also urged the beneficiary to remain grateful to God and informed him that his Foundation will continue to provide every necessary assistance to enable him get back on his feet and fend for his family

    Responding from his sickbed, the beneficiary who couldn’t hide his joy thanked Senator Ubah for always standing by the masses. He further thanked him for championing quality legislations at the National Assembly, changing the narratives in the senatorial district and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him.

    Items distributed to randomly selected radio listeners include motorcycles, deep freezers, LED display TV sets, electric ovens, microwave ovens and electric fans. It was an event that empowered as well as put smiles on the faces of numerous families in the State.

    The interactive radio program continues tonight at 9 pm as the Senator will be in the studio once again to interact with and receive more feedback from his people in line with his open-door style of representation.

    Indeed a new Anambra is possible with Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.

    #InterventionsThatMatter.

    #OpenDoorRevolution

  • Interview with Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, Anambra 2021 PDP Governorship Aspirant

    Interview with Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, Anambra 2021 PDP Governorship Aspirant | Awka | May, 3, 2021.

     

    Lady Onyemelukwe was a running mate to Oseloka Obaze of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2017 Anambra Gubernatorial Election. In this interview with The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine, she reels out her plans for Anambra.

     

     

    What are your plans for the state as Governor? 

    My manifesto says it all. Our dear state needs restoration in all facets because over the past eight years people have experienced leadership, trust, fiscal, economic and infrastructure deficits. My priorities are to restore trust and confidence, in both leadership and government; to get our state infrastructure working again; to sustain and protect existing public infrastructure and public properties; to complete viable abandoned projects and place Anambra state on the path to greatness, God being our helper.

    Simply, to take Anambra from good to great. In the pecking order of states and in all facets – good governance, solvency, economic, political, educations, industry and commerce, housing, welfare, revenue generation, power sufficiency, and infrastructure – I want to see Anambra ranked in the top 5 in Nigeria, and consistently so. That is my plan.

    Many believe Anambra isn’t yet ripe for a woman as governor. What gives you the confidence that you can overcome that perception? Why do you think Anambra needs a female Governor this time?

    Such perception could be misinterpreted as being sexist; but I won’t go that route, since I know there is a cultural angle to it. Anambra needs a female Governor because we need to do things differently. Moreover, today in Nigeria we have had a female Chief Justice, a female Admiral, A female Army General, female senators – indeed Anambra has two presently- and female captains of industry. We have also had a female deputy Governor and Governor in Anambra State. So, where is this ‘not being ripe’ coming from? I think we should leave the perception and deal with the realities. My confidence comes from God and from my God given abilities.

    What moved you to aspire to become Governor of Anambra?  

    It is easy to see that things are not working optimally. The situation could get a lot worse if we fold our hands. I am moved by a strong desire to serve selflessly. To sustain legacy and to get the job done right with the fear of God.  It’s that simple.

    What is your motivation in the race?

    Leadership is about service. I am privileged to have been well travelled. I have been to places where things work and are taken for granted. Even here in Nigeria, in the so-called good old days, potable water was available in most urban areas, the roads were few but well maintained, public properties were well maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). If we improve the quality of life, give our people hope and better life, that ought to be sufficient motivation. As the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected. I want to give back. I want a state that our children are proud to call home. As a child growing up, holidays in the village were always the highlight of my year. These days, the young ones are mostly looking for a way out. A lot has gone wrong. We need to get back on the right track.

    What do you want to do right and perhaps differently?

    Our approach of doing things differently will be dual-tracked: create opportunities and an enabling environment to make governance seamless and reform and strengthen our public institutions. So we will bring experience to the table, follow due process, and accountability anchored on the fear of God. Our governance mantra, ethics and values will be premised on accountability and transparency. We shall offer opportunities for our people to get affordable healthcare, good education, gainful employment and dividends of democracy. We will engage in gender mainstreaming at all levels, bureaucratic and political. Elective and appointive positions will be based on a 60:40 ratio.

    If given the opportunity, my team and I, shall reform and strengthen our governance institutions to serve the public interest and the common cause, guarantee investors’ interest and confidence, restore capital inflow and sustainable development. Our budgetary process shall be transparent and results-based. Our policies will be people-driven. Anambra State will be fiscally secure and solvent under my watch.

    How do you see the influx of Billionaires in the race?

    Money is good as what it can buy for you. It could also be detrimental, if not well deployed. Campaign financing laws took care of that. No candidate can justifiably exceed the N200 million spelled out by the Electoral Act for vying for governorship. Doing so is sufficient grounds for disqualification. So, wealth is just one attribute of the race. Someone mentioned to me that Anambra has the highest concentration of millionaires and billionaires. So it’s only natural that some of them aspire to govern the state. What is key, is what added value each aspirant brings to the table.

    What do you think the state lacks that you will provide?

    Like Nigeria, Anambra State is blessed with human and material resources. Really, we lack nothing in that sense. What we need is focused, transformative, adaptive and purposeful leadership that will deploy its energy and the state’s finances and resources in promoting the common cause, welfare and giving our people a better life. Of course, in doing so, one would strive to provide facilities that would address the unmet needs, in housing, healthcare, education, food sufficiency potable water, power, employment and infrastructure.

     

    What is your rating of the serving governor and those before him?

    By the mercies of the Almighty, in 2017, I ran on a joint ticket as deputy to Oseloka H. Obaze. Today, I am running for the top job so my ratings stand a great risk of being viewed as biased. Such assessments are the prerogatives of the Anambra people. I will suggest that you direct your question to the everyday citizens of Anambra State. They are in a better position to provide an unbiased answer to those questions. But so you don’t think I’m doing the dodge, I’ll tell you this. As a citizen I have one vote. And I know that in 2017, I did not vote for the incumbent.

    Do you think your party can win the November 6 poll?

    PDP is in the race to win. I am in the race to win. Many believe that the ruling parties, both at the central and state levels have not acquitted themselves creditably and therefore traditional and primordial sentiments alone, cannot return or put them in power in Anambra state. It’s time for a reality check. The outcome of the November 6 election, barring anything untoward, will be in the hands of the Anambra electorate, and of course, in the hands of God.

    What is the influence of former governors like Peter Obi and others in the choosing of the next governor?

    PDP is the longest and presently the only active party amongst those founded at the cusp of the return to democracy in 1999. We have institutional capacity, institutional memory, and sagacious stakeholders and leaders. These leaders, like Peter Obi, are highly respected and wield sufficient influence to advise the party on how to do things right in the interest of the party, and to ensure equity, credibility and transparency. Insofar as their individual and collective influence are germane and in tandem with the aspirations of the party, their respective roles remains critical.

     

    Do you think you have enough political pedigree to clinch the ticket against several tested personalities?

    With all modesty, if political and social pedigree were the only factors for winning this election, I believe I’m in good stead to be the next Governor of our dear state. Of those you refer to as tested, none became Governor, and just a few have been on the ticket of major parties either as candidate or deputy, so we are all essentially at the same level. What matters most, is what Anambra needs at this juncture to leapfrog from stagnation to eminence and prosperity. I’m offering myself and my services to make that dream a reality.

    Some under aged children are roaming the streets selling different kinds of commodities. How can you help curb such activities?

    Our platform has offered the solution to addressing the scourge of out-of-school children, of which there are over 13 million in Nigeria. Our approach will be simple but efficient and practical: we intend to invest aggressively in primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary education. We will also make Primary and Secondary education mandatory and free up to Junior Secondary level in order to lower out-of-school and dropout rates. We will devote U.N. prescribed budgetary allocation of 26% to education. That ought to do the magic.