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Enugu APC Crisis: VON DG, Okechukwu spits fire over senatorial primary

Published

6 years ago

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As protests continue to trail the October 3 controversial senatorial primary elections of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu West senatorial district, Osita Okechukwu, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) has asked Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu to stop dropping the name of Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka in a bid to justify a stolen mandate.

Ibekaku, who was declared winner, had said in a media report that Mbaka, the Founder of renowned Adoration Ministries Enugu, prayed for her victory against Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the forthcoming senatorial election in Enugu West.

But in statement on Monday, Okechukwu said he has great respect for Fr Mbaka and do not think that the Mbaka he knows “would pray for the stolen mandate, which Juliet Ibekaku was bandying about.”

According to the VON DG, Ibekaku-Nwagwu did not earn the results allocated to her in the primaries in a desperate bid to declare her as the winner of the Enugu West senatorial primary election.

Consequently, Okechukwu, an aspirant for the primaries, said he has protested to the Appeal Panel in Abuja over the alleged allocation of unearned votes to Mrs. Ibekaku Nwagwu in the primaries.

The VON DG said he was following the due process of filing petition accordingly to the Appeal Panel, in a bid to recover his mandate from Mrs. Ibekaku.

In a petition to the Appeal Panel for Enugu West sitting in Abuja, Okechukwu submitted that the allocation of the results was not only brazen, utter imposition of candidate and without tact, but clearly demonstrated the complicity of the Primary Election Panel led by Professor Moses Momoh.

In the petition titled, “Protest over allocation of votes to Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu in Enugu West Senatorial District Primary Election,” Okechukwu stated that the votes were wrongfully allocated interalia: Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu – 5,750, Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu – 4,015, Osita Okechukwu – 2, 344 and Pius Eze – 600, thus making a total of 12, 709 votes.

Part of the petition read, “The allocation of the results were not only brazen, utter imposition of candidate and without tact, but clearly demonstrated the complicity of the Primary Election Panel led by Professor Moses Momoh, for I polled a total of 7,919 votes in Awgu one of the five local government areas of the senatorial district. Evidence attached as Annex 1. Annex 11 is also attached. It is my candid view that the signatures be subjected to Forensic Test, if in doubt, to clear the air.

“I humbly further submit that the results from the 81 Wards were in my favour, as I led other three contestants with over 15,000 votes, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu coming second and Mrs Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu distant third. Am ready to furnish more more evidences, if requested.

“Your Excellency, to proof that their allocations were tactless and lacked common sense is that the two Federal House of Representatives candidates – Chef Joe Mammel, polled over 9,000 votes from Udi/Ezeagu and Mr VinMartin Ilo, polled over 9,000 votes from Aniri/Awgu/Oji River, while the four senatorial aspirants were merely allocated 12,709 in the same district.

“My fear, as one of the foundation members of the APC, is that in the general election, Mrs. Nwagwu lacks the gravitas to win Senator Ekweremadu. For earlier before the primary election news filtered in that Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the incumbent, has vowed that he will make sure that Mr. Osita Okechukwu is stopped from making the list. His reason is that he needs a weaker APC candidate, who will not enjoy the massive support I have among ordinary party members and the general public. This played out when a large segment of the senator’s supporters jubilated over her alleged victory,” Okechukwu stated.

He, therefore, appealed to members of the Appeal Panel to use their good offices in the interest of their great party and dear president, to rectify the unwarranted imposition of divisive Mrs. Nwagwu and validate his election as the candidate of APC, to avoid dissension and discontent among the rank and file of party members.

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GRPolitics

Governor Peter Mbah Signs Multi-million Dollar Joint Venture To Birth Job Opportunities, Promote Sports And Youth Development In Enugu State

Published

3 months ago

on

January 23, 2024

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The Governor Of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah has disclosed a recent deal he signed for the good of the people of Enugu. On his Facebook page he wrote;

“I was delighted to sign a multi-million dollar joint venture agreement with the Del-York Group for “The 042 Arena and Entertainment Park” over the weekend.

The multi-purpose sports and entertainment hub is designed to focus on key areas of development, training, innovation, education, talent discovery, hospitality, and entertainment, among others.

The Sports Arena will on completion feature training facilities, athlete housing, a physical therapy and sports medicine centre, and a performance centre, while the Entertainment Park will have a variety of designs, including screening rooms, stages, amphitheaters; and live, work and play facilities, among others.

It gladdens my heart that investors are now favouring our dear state as a location for businesses and investments. This demonstrates the success of our ceaseless efforts to make Enugu the safest place to live, invest, play sports, and enjoy leisure.

I’m hopeful that this project will create thousands of jobs for Ndi Enugu and also attract more investors and tourists to our state. It will also provide a platform for our young people to showcase their talents, thereby promoting sports and youth development in our state and the entire South-East region.

Many thanks to the CEO of Del-York, Linus Idahosa, who came up with the concept and chose Enugu as the planting soil. My administration will give him and his team all the needed support to flourish.”

Here are pictures from the signing ceremony.

We commend the Governor on this development.

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Governor Peter Mbah Appreciates Dave Umahi Over Swift Response To Work On A Recently collapsed Bridge In Enugu State

Published

7 months ago

on

September 29, 2023

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Governor Peter Mbah Appreciates The Minister For Works, Dave Umahi Over Swift Response To Work On A Recently collapsed Bridge In Enugu State

The bridge which is on the federal road, had sunk in on Monday.Thank God no casualties were recorded due to the less movements around the area on the it happened.

Here’s what the Governor wrote;

“Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, to Enugu State. The minister who came to inspect the collapsed bridge between the New Artisan flyover and the Naira Triangle, at the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway, assured me of its immediate reconstruction.

“He commended me for ameliorating the plights of my people by undertaking to dualise the Enugu State’s part of the Enugu-Abakaliki road, and also assured me that the federal government would expedite the necessary approvals.

“I sincerely appreciate the minister for the prompt response, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inclusive leadership. This, for us, underscores the president’s commitment to his oath of office.”

Here are pictures from the scene visit

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PHOTO: Governor Peter Mbah Speaks At 2023 Lagos Chamber Of Commerce And Industry (LCCI)

Published

8 months ago

on

August 29, 2023

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The Governor of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah was one of the guest speakers at the 2023 LCCI. While posting pictures from the conference on his social media page, He wrote;

“Today, I was honoured to stand as Guest of Honour and Speaker on the platform of the 2023 Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) International Business Conference and Expo.

This event underscores our commitment to global partnerships and trade cooperation. From Enugu, I have proudly joined the dialogue that transcends borders.

As we engage in vital conversations, I extend a hand of partnership, inviting stakeholders to explore our nation’s potential. Together, let’s unlock avenues for national growth and prosperity.

In Enugu State, we are open for business; building partnership with the private sector to unlock the capital market, attract investments, and retake our place in the local and global economy.

I’m excited to share with you our state’s abundant investment opportunities and government inventives in agriculture and agro-industry, logistics and aviation, tourism, real estate, mineral resources, information and communication technology (ICT), among others.

We are also de-risking business investment in key sectors by providing access to land, providing support infrastructure, handling engagement with host communities, and facilitating the approval of building permits.

Amid challenges, our resolve for a robust business environment remains unshaken. We are intentionally revisiting our ease of doing business indicators to ensure the environment is conducive for businesses to thrive.

Join me in embracing this momentous stride as we amplify Enugu State’s prominence on the national and world map.”

Here are pictures from the conference.

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