NEWS
Abia group condemns planned immortalisation of Prof Nnenaya Oti by Gov Alex Otti
Following the pronouncement by Gov Alex Otti that the Abia State government will immortalize the returning officer in the 2023 governorship election, Prof Nnennaya, a group of professionals has asked him to shelve the plan,describing it as a superfluous act to curry future favour.
The Group Young Old Bende Professionals said it would amount to anticipatory gratification to INEC by the governor to shield him from the 2027 general elections.
Otti had at a reception in Aba by Old Progressive Union ,announced the planned award, saying that Oti who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri exhibited courage and integrity by refusing to compromise the results.
But in a statement in Umuahia on Sunday the Young Old Bende Professionals, faulted the governor and accused him of engaging in open solicitation ahead of the 2027 election.
In the statement signed by the Chairman, Barr Chima Ogbonnaya and the Secretary, Hon Chief Chidozie Okwara, the group berated Otti for reducing governance into a circus show and personal aggrandisement.
” The election of 2023 has come and gone. If the governor is not trying to curry the favour of INEC to look out for him in 2027, why this fixation with Prof Nnennaya Oti?” , they asked.
They noted that Alex Otti had earlier in the year moved the entire Executive Council of Abia State to Afikpo to attend a mere traditional wedding ceremony of Prof Oti’s daughter and wondered if that was not enough appreciation.
According to them, going beyond that to immortalise Prof Oti when many founding fathers of the state had not been so honoured will amount to reducing governance to circus show and chasing clout.
” What it means is that the other 35 governors will come out to immortalise the returning officers in their states to show gratitude to people who merely did their jobs as public servants. Won’t that be madness “, they asked.
They argued that in the real sense, the credit for the electoral integrity should go to INEC as a body and not to be personalised.
According to them, the real hero of the election was the collation officer for Obingwa local government area who refused to compromise the results despite immense pressure from politicians.
” What we are seeing here is that Alex Otti wants to position this woman to return in 2027 . We see this as part of an elaborate plan by the governor to rig the 2027 election through covert manipulation of INEC,” they averred.
Meanwhile, the Young Old Bende Professionals has described the member representing Aba North/ Aba South federal Constituency, Hon Mascot Ikwechegh as an impostor for purporting to have organised a reception for the governor in the name of Old Bende.
The group noted that they had severally warned Ikwechegh to stop impersonating the union and described what happened at Aba at the weekend as a charade and the height of rascality.
” We are not against anyone receiving or bestowing honour on the governor but it is deceitful to use the platform of Old Bende when we know that the real organisation that goes by that name had absolutely nothing to do with the reception.
They averred that the venue for the reception which held at Aba exposed the organisers of the event as impostors.
According to them ” the political capital of Old Bende is Ohafia. You couldn’t hold the reception there. You couldn’t hold it even in Umuahia, but ran to Aba . That tells you that it was actually people residing in Aba that held the reception and not the people of Old Bende.
” For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of Old Bende is not partisan. The Chairman remains Prof Emejuoiwe and the secretary is Barr Ume Kalu. Anyone who parades himself as leadership of the group outside these names are impostors “, they submitted.
NEWS
Federal High Court removes Gov. Uzodinma as APC senatorial candidate for Imo West
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to immediately stop parading himself as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday after ruling that Uzodinma did not win the APC senatorial primary election conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ruling represents a significant development in the contest for the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 senatorial election.
The court’s directive requires Uzodinma to cease presenting himself as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District seat, pending the implications of the court’s decision.
The development is expected to generate further political reactions within the APC in Imo State as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
NEWS
Usman Nuhu, AKA Ogbegbe, Appears in Court Over Alleged Killing of Oghenemine
Usman Nuhu, popularly known as Ogbegbe, has appeared in court in Asaba, Delta State, to face charges over the alleged killing of Oghenemine, who reportedly went to collect a waybill at Effurun Roundabout.
During the court proceedings, Ogbegbe, who appeared visibly lean and shaky, denied killing Oghenemine. He reportedly told the court that he used a stone near the deceased to apply pressure on his body so he would confess. He also claimed that he was beaten with floor tiles at the Ekpan Police Station.
The court reportedly reminded him that the statements he was making were under oath.
The second defendant, who was charged alongside Ogbegbe, also told the court that the police forced him to admit that he was present when Oghenemine was allegedly killed. He maintained that he was not at the scene when the incident occurred.
The court ordered that Ogbegbe be remanded in prison, while the second to fifth defendants were granted bail.
The other defendants are Onoloko Dauroupamo, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu.
The case was adjourned until November 17, 2026, for further proceedings.
NEWS
Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, a grassroot leader and stunch member of Labour party; bids farewell to Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh.
The former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State 7th House of Assembly, and the representative of Ohafia North State Constituency at the current 8th House, Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, has once again shown his love for his people, friends and constituents, as he identifies with the family of Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh, who was laid to rest yesterday, 1st October 2026 in his hometown, Abiriba.
The presence of the House member during the wake-keep on 30th September, turned the event to a mini carnival as the youths of Abiriba troopped out from all corners of Abiriba community that night to be with their leader who is always at home with his people and to identify with one of their leaders Chief John Okiyi Kalu, whose Uncle was being buried.
During a condolence visit to the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in his country home, the House member and Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, took time to console and pray for the entire family.
In his speech, Mandela expressed his sympathy over the demise of Chief Maxwell, who he described as a perfect gentleman and a true son of Abiriba Kingdom. He enjoined the family to carry on with his legacies, and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding on behalf of the family, the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, thanked the house member for finding time to be with the family in their time of grief all through the wake keep and the funeral service proper. He described him as a trusted representative of the people who stands with his people at all times. Furthermore, he thanked the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, who coincidentally is of same age grade with him, for finding time to come and for his prayers.
The house member was accompanied by some leaders and members of Labour party, his legislative aide, and some of his children.
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