Connect with us

News

Why I visited Araraume — Ohakim

Published

on

Former Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, has explained that his visit to his brother and a governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, on Friday March 16, 2018, does not mean or suggest that he had backed down from his second term governorship bid in 2019 as suggested in media reports.

He said he visited his brother at his country home in Isiebu Community in Isiala Mbano LGA because they are brothers and that he believes that the security, stability, peace, unity and progress of the state is bigger than anyone’s ambition, even as he said that he was demonstrating that political tolerance should be imbibed by all.

He assured Imo people that he remains the best option for the governorship position in the state in 2019, saying: “Dr Ikedi Ohakim remains in the 2019 governorship bid, and as it stands, events in the last seven years have shown that he is the best man for the job.”

In a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Collins Ughalaa, on Monday in Owerri, Ohakim said that he “believes deeply in the unity, peace, security, stability and progress of Imo State and the people”, stressing: “He believes that these are bigger than anyone’s political ambition.”

Ohakim and Araraume had been political foes for years. But Ohakim assured: “He also believes in the comradeship among those aspiring to be governor of the state, and that politics should be played without bitterness. Moreover, Dr Ikedi Ohakim believes in the brotherliness of brothers and that the love and bond between brothers should be very strong that no kind of politics will be a wedge between them, no matter what.

“He believes firmly that if we must preach political tolerance we must first imbibe same and demonstrate it to our followers, so that they too will imbibe same qualities.

“It is for the sake of this long held principles that His Excellency Dr Ikedi Ohakim paid an unscheduled visit to his brother, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, at his home in Isiebu in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State on Friday, March 16, 2018, putting aside their political differences but bearing in mind that they are brothers after all.

“Ohakim will continue to relish the warn reception he received from Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and the good time they had, eating together, hugged each other, shook hands, cracked jokes and laughed together. He will also be glad to host Senator Araraume or anyone else in his house, and he will visit more governorship aspirants in the state.

“Nevertheless, this brotherly visit does not in any way mean or suggest that Dr Ikedi Ohakim has backed down from his 2019 second term bid, or that he is contemplating doing same, especially as nothing like that was discussed.”

Ohakim also called on other aspirants in the state to visit each other as a way of preaching and demonstrating tolerance in politics.

“However, having set the pace, Dr Ikedi Ohakim expects that in the overriding interest of the state all political aspirants should visit each other, eat and drink together, shake hands, hug each other, crack jokes and laugh together, as the best way to inculcate the virtue of political tolerance among the people, rather than do-or-die politics.

“Doing so will also show the level of political maturity and selflessness among the aspirants and their supporters,” Ohakim said.

He also noted that he “remains one of the fathers of Imo State, having been Governor for 4 years and now tipped for return for second term in office in 2019,” adding that his “second term bid which has got massive support from Ndi Imo both at home and the Diaspora is largely due to his sterling performance while he was in office and the unique qualities he possesses, which many lack.”

GrassRoots.ng is on a critical mission; to objectively and honestly represent the voice of ‘grassrooters’ in International, Federal, State and Local Government fora; heralding the achievements of political and other leaders and investors alike, without discrimination. This daily, digital news publication platform serves as the leading source of up-to-date information on how people and events reflect on the global community. The pragmatic articles reflect on the life of the community people, covering news/current affairs, business, technology, culture and fashion, entertainment, sports, State, National and International issues that directly impact the locals.

News

King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed

Published

on

King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.

“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.

A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”

Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”

“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”

Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.

A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.

All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.

“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.

“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”

Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.

We hope the king gets well soon.

Continue Reading

News

EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members

Published

on

Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.

A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.

Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.

The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.

In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.

the school fees documented payment

The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”

Continue Reading

News

Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing

Published

on

Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.

This incident happened as a result of the heavy rainfall which fell on Wednesday night. This led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.

Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.

While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.

Continue Reading

Trending