Connect with us

GRPolitics

APC gives Okorocha last warning

Published

on

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo to, in the party’s interest, work with its new executive committee in the state.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, gave the charge in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He noted that the governor had been making libellous attacks on the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

“Hardly a day passes without Gov. Okorocha verbally assaulting our National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other party leaders over the recently-concluded congresses in Imo,” he said.

Abudullahi noted that in a recent advertorial entitled “Let Truth Speak for Itself”, a number of false claims were made against the party.

According to Abudullahi, the advertorial was signed by a known associate of Gov. Okorocha, Mr Ireagwu Obioma, who parades himself as Acting Secretary of APC in Imo.

“The import of the allegations was that the party was aware of a court order preventing it from conducting the Imo Congress following receipt of a copy of so-called injunction, which directed it to maintain status quo.

“But nothing can be further from the truth; even the published documents in the advertorial do not support this position and in fact, gave a lie to the governor’s version of events,” he said.

He stated that Okorocha’s position was that the party was duly served with the court papers and prevented from going ahead with the Congress in the state.

The APC spokesman explained that published report revealed that the party was served the court rulings on May 18, whereas Ward and Local Government Congresses in the state were held on May 5 and May 14, respectively.

According to him, this was four days before the court ruling was issued.

He stressed that the court ruling being paraded as injunction did not serve Okorocha’s interest because at the time of the ruling, a new set of party executive had been validly elected.

“Consequently the court ruling directing that the status quo be maintained actually means that no one should interfere with the newly elected APC party executives in the state,” Abudullahi said.

He added that in the advertorial, an internal party memo was published, which purportedly showed that the party’s leadership was aware of the pendency of legal issues involving the congresses in Imo and Abia.

He maintained that the published memo by the agents of the governor was fake and replete with inconsistencies, adding that no such memo was generated by the party’s leadership.

He said one of the consistencies was that the published advertorial was generated by the Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Edwin Ikhinmwin, but was signed by the party’s Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire.

According to Abdullahi, the APC National Legal Adviser and the Chief of Staff have since denounced the document as fake, that they neither originated nor signed such memo.

“This is, therefore, a clear case of forgery borne out of desperation; we are currently seeking legal advice on how to proceed with the matter to ensure that those culpable are identified and duly punished.

“The sensible thing to do when you find yourself in a ditch is to stop digging.

“We, therefore, once again, urge Gov. Okorocha to tread the path of caution and reconciliation and to work with the duly elected party executives in the state for the good of the party.

“We shall, however, not tolerate his constant assault on the party, either directly or through proxies,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okorocha has been in a running battle with APC stakeholders in Imo, who accused him of mismanaging the state’s resources and high-handedness. (NAN).

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.

GRPolitics

Tinubu Hails Winners of By-Elections in 12 States

Published

on

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

The President commends the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulates the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulates the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commends all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoins them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship,  fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

Continue Reading

GRPolitics

FG: President Tinubu Fulfilling Development Promises to South-East

By Sandra Ani

Published

on

Tinubu and South East
President Bola Tinubu's appointees on tour of South East

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris,  has restated the Federal Government’s firm commitment to the rapid socio-economic development of Ebonyi State and the entire South-East geo-political zone.

Speaking in Abakaliki on Friday night at a Citizens’ Engagement Forum organised by his Ministry, the Minister said: “The commitment of Mr. President to the socio-economic development of Ebonyi State and the entire South-East is unwavering. He is right on track to transform and move the region forward, as promised when he came here to campaign in November 2022.”

The Minister explained that the Citizens’ Engagement Forum is not a mere talk shop but a direct platform to present government’s scorecard, give account of stewardship, and take feedback from Nigerians. 

“This is consistent with the mission of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to reenact trust in public communication by deepening the social contract between government and citizens, and restoring public confidence in governance.”

Highlighting major achievements of the Tinubu administration, Idris noted that subsidy removal and other bold reforms have doubled allocations to states and local governments, fueling an “unprecedented explosion of infrastructure projects across most states of the country.”

The Minister said “the Port Harcourt-Aba railway project has been completed, delivered, and is in operation,” while the Federal Executive Council has approved “the allocation of $3 billion for the completion of the 2,044km Eastern Rail Line, projected to unlock N50 billion for the region in annual trade.”

In addition, “$508 million has been earmarked for the upgrade and modernization of Eastern Port infrastructure,” while “118.85km of the Ebonyi section of the Calabar-Abuja Super Highway has been inaugurated.”

On healthcare, the Minister disclosed that “the Federal Government, in April 2025, flagged off the Cancer Centre of Excellence at the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu,” adding that a “world-class Oncology Centre at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Nsukka” has also been commissioned.

To support small businesses, Idris stated: “The Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry, injected about N200 billion into nano, micro, and small businesses, benefitting over 900,000 business owners.”

He further announced that the newly established South-East Development Commission has “hit the ground running in its pursuit to build a $200 billion economy for the region by 2035,” while the South-East Investment Corporation, with a capital base of N150 billion, will drive industrialization and inclusive growth.

On security, the Minister assured citizens that the Federal Government is winning the war against insurgents and secessionist elements. “We have recorded great success in making the South East safe and rendering the sit-at-home orders by secessionists ineffective,” he stressed.

Idris commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his development strides, especially in forging synergy with the Federal Government to deliver impactful projects for the people of the state. 

“His success across all sectors of the state is a testament to what is possible when state and federal governments work in synergy to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.”

The Minister reiterated President Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, bridging the infrastructure gap, promoting food security, improving the living conditions of the masses and bequeathing a prosperous nation to future generations. “Indeed, we are not resting on our oars,” he affirmed.

Continue Reading

GRPolitics

2027: Again, Enugu North Endorses Gov Mbah over Massive Projects, UNN VC

SANDRA ANI reports that Governor Mbah told the people “…You ain’t seen nothing yet”

Published

on

Enugu North Endorses Gov Mbah
Governor Peter Mbah addressing the people of Enugu North Senatorial District after they endorsed him for second term.

…Says Enugu-Nsukka rail line in the pipeline

Stakeholders and groups across the six Local Government Areas of Enugu North Senatorial District, also known as Nsukka Zone, have endorsed Dr. Peter Mbah of Enugu State for a second term in office yet again.

The stakeholders, comprising traditional, political, and community leaders, professionals and various groups, said the governor had shown sincerity and determination in addressing the major challenges facing Nsukka Zone through visible projects, while also facilitating the appointment of a son of the zone as the Vice Chancellorship of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for the first time since the founding of the institution in 1960.

This was as Mbah revealed that he was already in the process of feasibility study for a rail line that would reduce trip from Enugu to Nsukka to 15 minutes, saying he was just starting.

The people of Nsukka zone bared their minds during Governor Mbah’s working visit to Nsukka at the weekend, which featured the foundation laying for a 5,000-shop capacity Nsukka International Market, meeting with traditional rulers of the zone at Edem Ani, and a well-attended meeting with stakeholders of the zone.

Speaking, the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Samuel Asadu, said the zone had presented three major requests before Mbah ahead of the 2023 election, namely; the dualisation of the 44km Abakpa Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road, appointment of an Nsukka Zone indigene as Vice Chancellor of UNN, and support the creation of Adada State.

“Today, the governor is already dualising the Enugu-Opi-Nsukka Road. Just last week, he, through his good relationships with President Bola Tinubu, ensured the emergence of Professor Simon Ortuanya as the Vice Chancellor of UNN. While the creation of Adada State is not for him to decide, he has given us all the support to push for it.

“It means that he has met almost all our demands in just two years. So, tell me why we will follow another person other than him?”, he said.

nsukka zone and Mbah
Governor Peter Mbah addressing the people of Enugu North Senatorial District after they endorsed him for second term.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Engr. Jude Asogwa, said Mbah was unstoppable, as far as Enugu north was concerned, saying he had surpassed their expectations.

“Our people said that I should inform you that you are unstoppable. We thank you for the 20 Smart Green Schools in Nsukka, 20 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, and the Modern Transport Terminal in Nsukka, just to name a few, all in just two years.

“So, we want to tell you that we are committed to your cause. In fact, it is as though Enugu just started two years ago. We don’t engage in frivolities and we are on ground for you,” Asogwa stated.

In his opening remark at the townhall meeting, which held at the UBA Hall, UNN, Member representing Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chidi Obetta, said Mbah had shown that leadership was no rocket science, noting that the essence of the townhall meeting was for the governor to get undiluted feedback from the people.

“The Enugu North zone is saying thank you because I know a lot of projects across various sectors you have told me in our private discussions that you were planning to bring to Nsukka” he said.

Mbah, while responding to their requests which were mostly in appreciation for the projects done and request for more roads, assured the zone that he would get even more aggressive with roads construction in 2025 by which time he would have been done with the 260 Smart Green Schools and the 260 type-2 Primary Healthcare Centers.

“I know you are all excited about the Abakpa-Opi-Nsukka Road. But you ain’t seen nothing yet. We are also going to do a rail line from Enugu to Nsukka. We don’t think that travelling from Enugu to Nsukka should take you more than 15 minutes. We are still doing the feasibility studies. But this is something we will do,” he said.

Other eminent personalities of Enugu North at the events, which featured a question and answer session with the governor, include the Deputy Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Ezenta Ezeani; Member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Agbo; Labour Party candidate in the 2023 governorship election, who has also returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga; and Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Enyinna Franklin Ogbonna.

Also present were members of Enugu State House of Assembly representing the zone, the six Council Chairmen of the zone, among others.

Continue Reading

Trending