The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra election: Don’t drag us into the election, leave us out of it -IPOB to INEC.

     

     

    The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has said it has no business with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the Anambra governorship election.

     

    It said the report that the commission is planning to negotiate with it on the smooth conduct of the election is misplaced.

     

    IPOB in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful on said it wondered why INEC would want to drag it into the the election of Anambra State.

     

    “We have no business with INEC, IPOB family worldwide doesn’t know whether or not INEC exists. We have nothing to do with the election INEC is conducting, and we wonder why INEC would want to drag us into the election.

     

    “INEC should face what is facing it and leave IPOB alone. We didn’t dialogue with Nigeria government let alone INEC.

     

    On the deployment of over 33,000 police officers to oversea the peaceful conduct of election in the State, Powerful said “We found it laughable the declaration by the Nigeria police that they are coming to Anambra State governoship elections on 6th of November with 33,000 personnel and 8 helicopters to kill Igbo citizens on that day.

     

    According to him “this statement from IGP shows how prepared they are to kill our people and also a clear indication that Nigerian police do not want the election  in Anambra to hold.”

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • FG threatens to invoke State Of Emergency in Anambra State

     

    The Federal Government Wednesday threatened to invoke a state of emergency in Anambra to ensure the the sanctity of the November 6 governorship election in the state.

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, gave the hint while fielding questions from correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    According to him, nothing is ruled out in the determination to ensure a hitch free exercise.

    Malami said: “When our national security is attacked, and the sanctity of our constitutionally guaranteed democracy is threatened, no possibility is ruled out.

    “As a government, we have a responsibility to ensure the sustenance of our democratic order. As a government, we have a responsibility to provide security to life and properties.

    “So, within the context of these constitutional obligations, of the government or the desire to establish democratic norms and order, there is no possibility that is out ruled.

    “The government will certainly do the needful in terms of ensuring that our elections are held in a Anambra in terms of ensuring necessary security is provided, and in terms of ensuring protection is accorded to lives and properties.

    “So, what I’m saying in essence, no possibility is out ruled by government in terms of ensuring the sanctity of our democratic order, in terms of ensuring that our elections in Anambra holds, and you cannot out rule possibilities inclusive of the possibility of declaration or state of emergency where it is established, in essence, that there is a failure on the part of the state government to ensure the sanctity of security of lives, properties and democratic order.

    “So, our position as a government is this elections are going to hold necessary security in terms of democratic order most certainly prevail for the purpose of this election.

    “So, we resolves to have these elections the elections are going to hold and no possibilities are ruled out in terms of ensuring the provision of security, for the purpose of the conduct of the election, as well as Anambra is concerned.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Anambra is ready for a female Governor

    Hon. Obiora Okpala is a procurement consultant, community leader and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State. In this interview with Daily Sun, he speaks on the chances of Senator Uche Ekwunife in next Saturday’s gubernatorial primaries of the PDP.

     

     

     

    The primaries of the PDP is next Saturday. Does your candidate, Uche Ekwunife have any chance?

     

     

     

    She’s one of the leading lawmakers in Nigeria. She has earned herself a name and has contributed in no small way to our democratic process in Nigeria. It is based on her antecedents and qualitative representation that the people are asking her to come and run. With the kind of programmes she has been able to influence to her people and the way she has carried everybody along, it is clear that she has set a benchmark. Another opportunity is calling. Since 1999, Anambra has gone through all the stages. It is obvious that our men have failed. In the eight years, the state has retrogressed. The people want someone who will come and change the system. We are business people. We need to take it to another level and make the state an industrial hub. Ekwunife has the qualities to make these things happen. These are the issues we should look at as we go into the primaries and into the election in Anambra State.

     

    Is the PDP ready to have a woman as its candidate in Anambra?

     

    Our party is gender sensitive. The PDP is one party that has given opportunities to women. It has given women the chance to contribute their quota. This is what the PDP has done. The PDP won’t change now. Anambra is a chauvinistic environment. They have their reservations about women taking certain positions. We need to move away from an outdated lifestyle and embrace a woman like Ekwunife. She will take the state from where we are to where we need to be. Ekwunife has the support.

     

     

     

    Ekwunife represents Anambra Central in the Senate, but hails from Anambra South. Is she relying on zoning to win?

     

    Zoning started with APGA in Anambra State. That was during Peter Obi. The PDP doesn’t subscribe to zoning. She’s from the South and that doesn’t matter. What we need is something to change. Currently, Anambra runs a burial economy. It comes alive at the weekend and dies by Monday. We deserve better and that’s why we need Ekwunife.

     

    If you place Ekwunife side by side with other aspirants, does she stand a chance?

     

    I’m not campaigning for her because I support her. I know her personally. I’ve done a forensic analysis of Anambra economy. We need a woman of her calibre. We need someone with her experience. She’s diligent. We don’t need a governor who will see governance as a bread and butter affair. We need someone to revive the economy of Anambra State. At some point in this country, Anambra’s internal revenue was one of the highest. That has changed.

     

    Ekwunife has repeatedly been accused of jumping the ship whenever she doesn’t get the ticket of her party. If she fails to get this ticket, will she remain in PDP?

     

    Ekwunife has come home. PDP is her last bus stop. She won’t defect is she doesn’t get the ticket. She understands state and National politics. If the PDP can just listen to the women folks of Anambra, she will win. The women have tried. We have seen women drive the vehicle of state affairs. She has a vast experience in the financial sector. She’s bringing that experience of a banker.

     

    Peter Obi, your former governor is a banker. The current governor, Willie Obiano is a banker. Is Anambra ready to have another banker as a governor?

     

    Ekwunife can’t run away from her history as a good banker. She has however proven herself in other areas. She has headed sensitive committees in the National Assembly. She currently heads science and technology committee in the Senate. She’s driving our technological advancement from the National Assembly. She will do well.

     

    Will the alleged crisis in PDP in the state affect the outcome of the primaries?

     

    It won’t. The primaries will be conducted by the national body and not by the state chapter. The crisis in the state chapter is orchestrated by some people we know. We can’t begin to mention their names. We need to let everyone know that Anambra State is ripe for a female governor. Some people who don’t want the party to come alive are behind this crisis. The PDP has suffered enough. Distractions will come. But we must remain focused and ignore the distractions.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Anambra Guber: Onyemelukwe, Daughter of Alex Ekwueme Pledges Selfless Service. 

    Anambra Guber: Onyemelukwe, Daughter of Alex Ekwueme Pledges Selfless Service. 

     

     

    One of the leading governorship aspirant in the November 6 election in Anambra State under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lady Chidi Alexandra Onyemelukwe has expressed her preparedness to provide selfless service of good governance to the people of the state if elected.

    Onyemelukwe, daughter to Nigeria’s first Vice President, Late Alex Ekwueme, and Oseloka Obaze’s running mate in the last gubernatorial election also promised to uphold the tenets of the founding fathers of the party.

    Addressing stakeholders and party faithful at a grand reception organised in honour of Hon. Nonso Amachukwu, the newly elected Chairman of Nnewi North LGA chapter of the party, Onyemelukwe said she had got the exposure and administrative experience to restore the state on the path to greatness.

    She said, “I have the exposure, requisite traits and administrative experience to drive the broad vision of restoring Anambra on the right path to greatness.

    “Four years ago, in 2017, I was considered suitable to co fly the ticket of our great party, having met the requisite educational training, exposure and experience in government at the national and state levels.

    “My sole motive is to provide selfless service of good governance to Ndi Anambra while upholding the tenets of the founding fathers of our party, God being my helper.”

    Onyemelukwe, the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the Anambra 2017 election, said all the aspirants presenting themselves for consideration under the party’s platform were qualified to govern the state.

    She called on the electorates to vote for a candidate that would see the opportunity as a service to God and to humanity, just as she appealed to the party’s electoral college to nominate a leader who would govern the state with the fear of God.

    Amachukwu emerged in an extraordinary congress held last month to fill the vacuum created by the passing away of Mr. Oko Echendu who formerly held the position.

  • It is the turn of Anambra South to produce the next Governor of the state-Oseloka Obaze

    Oseloka Obaze

     

     

    In Nigerian politics, oftentimes expediency trumps morality. Honour is also a scarce commodity. Sadly, this norm has gained toehold. As the 6 November 2021 Anambra State Governorship election approach, the issue of zoning is now front and centre and fraught with controversy for most parties. This is more so for my party, PDP. It should not be, for anyone who expects a modicum of morality in politics.

    At issue, is whether it is the turn of Anambra South senatorial zone to produce the next Governor; that is after Anambra North senatorial zone would have governed for eight years – 2014 to 2022 and Anambra Central senatorial zone for eight years,before that. Without any ambiguity, my position is that we should let Anambra South be and enjoy their turn in 2022.I am from Anambra North. In 2013 and again in 2017, I campaigned for the governorship of Anambra State to go North. I did so while in APGA and later, in PDP. To avoid any ambiguity, in 2013, I wrote an op-ed piece, titled, “Understating Why Anambra Has to Go North.” In 2017, as the PDP candidate, I campaigned on the premise that I will only serve one four-year term, if elected and allow the position to revert to the South. That position was implicit in the understanding/agreement that power will shift to the South in 2022. Those who now conveniently repudiate that understandingare being clever by half.

    Yet, the fact remains that while as the PDP 2017 candidate, I got some support from the Anambra South, a majority of the Anambra South power brokers and moneybags did not support my candidacy. Their rationale; simply, they could not contemplate honour in politics and therefore, did not believe that I would honour my four-year service commitment once elected. They were totally wrong and Anambra State is worse off for it.

    I did not win the hard fought 2017 gubernatorial elections despite picking Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, a female from the South as my running mate: and despite her political pedigree. Still, that fact does not negate my principled position and my commitment to honour that implicit –and to some explicit -rotational understanding, which explains why I am not running for Anambra State Governor in 2021. My decision not to run, mirrors that of Senator Ben Bruce in 2018, not to run for another senate term in order to respect extant rotation and “as a man of honour interested in the well being of my people,” or in my case, my State.

    That I’m not running in 2021 does not mean that some qualified aspirants from Anambra Central and North will not run. It’s their call. It’s a matter of personal choices and values. We cannot chastise them for running, since they will point correctly to several aspirants from the Anambra South running when it was the turn of Central and South.

    Those who argue that the three Anambra Senatorial zones have respectively had their turn of governorship and that the process should be thrown open, also have a valid argument. That point of view is further buttressed, by the fact that when it was the turn of the North, some aspirants from the South and Central zones also ran. These views are in tandem with my broad position that political zoning in any form is meant to ensure equity. Once equity is achieved, the premise ought to shift to purposeful leadership and the capacity to lead and deliver good governance. The forgoing point has been eloquently buttressed by someone; “Zoning is a desirable tool that when followed carefully can successfully address political imbalances, until a country (or State) matures democratically to the point that such things are no longer needed.”

    Nonetheless, the present debate is made possible, especially within the PDP; because the Party did not take a firm position on zoning in Anambra State. Yet for those of us from the SouthEast geopolitical zone, it would be near dubious to be fighting for zoning of the Nigerian Presidency to the South East zone, while repudiating intra-state zoning, when it comes to the governorship.

    I don’t argue glibly against superior logic. And on this zoning issue, superior logic exists on both sides. Consider this observation: “Coming from Anambra State, I cared very little if all our successive governors came from one town. I am more interested that we receive good governance, and that should be the standard in most states, especially tribally homogeneous states. Once this last cycle is completed, it would be in the interest of all political parties to open up their nomination process to the whole state and allow the best candidate to emerge. Or these parties risk putting themselves at a disadvantage, especially in states that share the same tribe, culture, religion, and so forth as is the case in most Igboland.”

    While morality in politics, most times, seems more of an aberration, it ought not to be so. My position is ably guided by a sense of honour and by the fact that I should not repudiate a position I took voluntarily and publicly, just for the sake of convenience. My children, their peers and the many young people I mentor would never understand nor accept such volte-face. And what they think of me and my generation is important to me.

    Concluding this piece for me is easy. I will use the exact words, which I used in 2013, when canvassing for Anambra North to be given a chance, to wit: What indeed we look for in a leader for Anambra, is someone who will take the state from good to great. Their zonal origin, pedigree and political sophistication ought not to be an issue. Anambra South can boast of a few of such good men and women. Anambra South and their choice must be given the opportunity to tender their provenance.

     

    Obaze was the Anambra State PDP governorship candidate in 2017.

     

  • INEC endorses 22 deregistered political parties to conduct primaries for the Anambra State governorship election.

     

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, tacitly endorsed 22 deregistered political parties to conduct primaries for the November 6 Anambra State governorship election.

     

    National Chairman of People for Democratic Change (PDC), Igwe Benjamin, who led the national chairmen of the 22 political parties to headquarters of the commission in Abuja, said the endorsement of their requests to conduct primaries for the governorship poll translated to automatic re-elistment of their parties deregistered by the electoral umpire.

     

    Addressing newsmen, PDC chairman in statement through his aide, Abdulrasheed Mohammed, said: “We came here to submit our notice of primary for the November 6 governorship election and, happily, INEC has accepted our letters.

     

    “The reason we came in group to submit the notice was that in the past eight months, we have been making attempts to serve INEC letter and to participate in the Ondo and Edo states’ governorship elections and other by-elections but the commission has always rebuffed us. Each time we come, they say we have been deregistered.

     

    “Meanwhile, we have an Appeal Court judgment which cannot be stayed. We are happy that today, either God has touched their hearts or that they have come to the realisation that you cannot just break the law because the consequences are there, they have accepted for us to participate in the Anambra State governorship election.”

     

    Speaking on the implications of the submission of notices of primary to INEC, Igwe said it is a sign of endorsement and an acceptance of the court pronouncement that the parties have been restored to their status as registered political parties.”

     

    Similarly, the National Chairman, Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), Sam Eke, frowned at the insinuations that the parties are not serious about contesting but to endorse other bigger parties in exchange for something.

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

  • Soludo reveals in his Interactive session with Journalists how his life and Family was threatened severally during his Tenure as the CBN Governor

    A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Soludo, has said his family went into exile because of several threats to their lives when he introduced the banking consolidation policy in 2004.

     

    Soludo added that he received 19 written threats to his life following that policy.

     

     

    He stated this in an interactive session with some journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

     

    Soludo, who is contesting for the governorship of Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, said a good leader must be adamant and revolutionary when embarking on progressive policies.

     

    He said, “I am a very impatient person to see change happen and I am passionate in anything I focus on. At that time, no bank in Nigeria was in the top 1,000 banks in the world. If you needed to make an investment of $500m, you had to go through the then 39 banks and it was an impossible task.

     

     

    “If you wanted to borrow abroad, there was no bank here to guarantee that. So, I came to the realisation that if we wanted to build a private sector-driven economy, it was not possible with the rickety ‘mama and papa’ banks, which could not guarantee even N3m loan. We, therefore, needed to pull down the house and rebuild it.

     

    “There was nothing I did not see. I received 19 written threats to my life. Even there were attempts to kidnap my children at Offa in Kwara State. So, it was a very brutal revolution. I had to evacuate my family during the banking consolidation because when you want to uproot a system, it is usually a deadly routine.”

     

     

    The Professor of Economics said his quest to govern the state was not for personal enrichment as God had blessed him all round, even bef ore he became 30 years.

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Soludo promises that his government will employ 1 million youths every year

    A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said if elected governor of the state in the November 6 poll, he will empower no fewer than one million youths annually.

     

    Soludo, who is contesting the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, stated this while addressing stakeholders of the party in Awka, Anambra State.

     

    The professor of Economics described APGA’s victory in the November 6 election as a major determinant of the future and lifespan of the party as a political organisation.

     

    He called on APGA faithful to deploy measures that would ensure victory for the party in the poll.

     

    He said, “My mission is to work with all members of the party to spread the party across Nigeria. I will turn APGA from a political party into a cooperative movement.

     

    “Anambra Vision 2070 is a 50-year plan that will make the state liveable and prosperous for our children.

     

    “The election is consequential and no APGA member must joke with the election. APGA over the past 15 years has taken Anambra into global heights.

     

    “In spite of declining receipts from the Federation Account, the state wants to complete an International Airport City, Conference centre, stadium and other facilities.

     

    “Our target is to empower not less than a million youths every year; the poor will be given a series of opportunities to transform their lives. We need to consolidate the lofty economic policies of Governor Willie Obiano. It is a collective responsibility.”

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • Allocating Resources Strategically will boost Anambra State Development

    Sustainable economic developments have continued to elude Anambra State in critical areas, owing to inequitable and nonstrategic allocation of its resources by succeeding administrations, Reverend Godwin Chukwuma Okonkwo has said.

     

    Okonkwo, who retired from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as the Managing Director, NNPC Capital, argued that the state would have been better developed, if past administrations had been strategic in the application of the its resources.

     

    A native of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area, Okonkwo said he would contest the next governorship election and promised to ensure accountable and judicious management of the state’s human and material resources.

     

    Okonkwo, who spoke in Abuja, shortly after his endorsement by a grassroot political group – the National Democratic Mandate Group (NDMG) – at its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting promised to disclose his political party in due course.

     

    Though it was learnt that the technocrat is believed by many to be the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but, others have said he plans to contest on the platform of Young Progressives Party (YPP) against Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, but Anambrarians may not have long to guess as he is said to have concluded plans to announce his candidacy and platform officially in the next few days.

     

    Okonkwo said: “If things were going on as expected, people like us will not bother to contest elections. But, because we know that Anambra State is not where it should be today and with my experience and expertise we want to help put things in order.

     

    “So that the resources that we are getting today would be judiciously used, whereby robust economic planning tools and godly integrity would be deployed in the management of the human and material resources of Anambra State.”

     

    Okonkwo, who promised to dwell on his manifesto, assured that, as against the practice by past administrations in the state, he would conduct Local Government election as stipulated by the constitution.

     

    He added: “I can assure you that when godly integrity is brought into the management of the state’s human and material resources, all areas would be touched. If the resources of Anambra State are strategically deployed there will be sustainable economic growth, increase in foreign investors, the youths will be empowered and crime would reduce.

     

    “If the youths are engaged with the provision of employment that allows them to meet their basic needs, crime rates would reduce.

     

    “One of the first things I will do when I assume office is to conduct Local Government elections. Why is it difficult to conduct Local Government elections in Anambra State?

     

    “Conduct elections and let the allocations that are due to that tier of government go to them. You should lead by example. When the people that you are leading see that you are showing good example, they will fall in line.

     

    “Why most people fail is that they were not organised before they got into office.

     

    “What you do is to identify and prioritise the work programme, create an economic plan with an experienced team, set timelines, take them in stages and you will make an impact. When people see what you are doing, they will bear you witness.

     

    “You don’t try to do everything at the same time, because you will end up not achieving much, even if you spend all the resources at your disposal,” Okonkwo said.

     

    He cautioned electorate in the state to desist from the practice of trading their votes for immediate gratification that would hunt them later.

     

    “The people of Anambra should not apply short-term solution to a long-term problem. They should not collect rice and eat now and continue to live under bad governance. They should not collect N5000 and mortgage the future of their children.”

     

    “They should go out there, think and be responsible for the action they take during voting, because the action they take would have years of repercussion,” Okonkwo said.

     

     

    NDMG’s National Chairman, Ambassador Isaac Udeh said his group’s national leadership unanimously agreed to adopt Okonkwo as its sole candidate and members shall work for in the Anambra State governorship election.

     

    On what informed the group’s decision, Udeh said Okonkwo is known to NDMG as an accountable and trustworthy individual.

     

    “He (Okonkwo) is not just a Christian, he is a good Christian. We know his antecedents when he worked in the NNPC before he retired honourably. He is a trustworthy man, who is driven by accountability  and fear of God in all he does,” Udeh said.

     

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonlineng.net

  • Women from Nkerehi community Anambra protest over alleged threat to their life

     

    Scores of women from Nkerehi community in Orumba South Local Government of Anambra State yesterday protested alleged threat to their lives and those of their families.

    The protesters, who stormed the Government House in black attires, carried placards. They accused the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Kenneth Maduka and Dr. Godwin Maduka of being responsible for their woes.

     

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Dr Maureen Igwike narrated how they lived in fear in their own town, saying their only crime was their refusal to agree with the decision to change the community’s name.

     

    She appealed to the government to save them from their oppressors.

     

    A government representative and Special Adviser (Legal), Vera Okonkwo, hailed the protesters for their peaceful conduct, assuring them of quick intervention.

     

    “I was moved when I saw women crying. They wore black clothes. Governor Willie Obiano is a man of peace, he doesn’t allow intimidation. I assure you that he will hear everything and take action,” she said.

     

    The traditional ruler of Umuchukwu, Igwe Maduka, said the allegations were fuelled by envy and jealousy by some members of the community bent on ensuring the area remained in darkness.

     

    “The issue at hand is not just about the change of name, but an age-long hatred for Godwin Maduka, through who the community has seen the light.”

     

     

    “What you saw in Awka was just one of the antics of these people who do not wish our community to progress.

     

    “But despite the wrongdoings against me and my brother, we are willing to embrace them as brothers in the best interest of the community. We call on the government to look critically into the matter to unravel the truth.”

     

     

    Source: www.thenationonlineng.net

  • INEC schedules Anambra State governership election for November 6 2021

    ′THE Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Anambra State governorship elections for November 6, 2021.

     

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday after its meeting in Abuja.

     

    According to him, the meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues, including the issuance of the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election.

     

    He said, “By virtue of Section 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25(7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), election into the office of a state governor shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.

     

    “Constitutionally and statutorily, the tenure of the Governor of Anambra State will expire on March 17, 2021 and the earliest date for the election into the office of Governor, Anambra State, shall be October 18, 2021 and the latest date for the election shall be February 15, 2022.

     

    “In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the constitution, the Electoral Act and all other powers enabling it in that regard, the commission has fixed November 6, 2021, as the date for the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election. Consequently, the commission hereby issues the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.

     

    “By the timetable and schedule of activities, the commission will issue the statutory notice for election June 9, 2021. The collection of Forms EC9 (formerly CF001) and EC9B (formerly CF002) for the election will take place on June 10, 2021 and the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries will take place June 10 – July 1 2021.

     

    “The personal particulars of the candidates will be published on July 16, 2021 and the parties will commence campaigns on August 8, 2021. The final list of nominated candidates will be published on October 7, 2021.

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com