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Bernard Odoh, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Ebonyi, has reiterated his readiness to deepen capacity building towards improving food production, education and service delivery system in the state, if elected in 2023.
Odoh told newsmen he would improve the training and retraining of personnel in agriculture and civil service.
The gubernatorial candidate said that his government would reduce taxation and restructure the civil service system.
“When I come on board, I am going to harmonise of taxation.
We are not going to over impose tax on people in order to encourage small scale businesses.
“The retraining of personnel is very imperative and we shall embark on that in order to make the people more efficient and effective in all sectors.
“When I become the governor, my business as governor is to chase investment opportunity and venture into what can bring people to invest in Ebonyi for business.
“Education being the bedrock of development, we are going to restructure the system.
“We must rearrange our educational curriculum to speak with the modern reality.
In doing this, we shall increase our budget for education.
“Our primary and secondary schools are in shamble and we cannot fold our hands.
First, we shall hold a summit ro assess the system.
My government will only embark on projects based on people’s need.
“Any infrastructure that does not have value for people is a waste.
Let me tell you, I am not running for the governorship position because I am an Ezza man, I am running because I am an Ebonyi man.
“In my government, there shall be no hide and seek politics,” he stated.
When asked about his contenders, Odoh said that he had no one standing aside his burning desire to improve the healthcare, education, agriculture, job creations and eject poverty from the land.
“I have no contender from any party.
My contenders are on how to improve the system such as in education, security as well as human capital development, among others,” the candidate explained.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Legal Adviser of Imo chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Ifeanyi Olumba, has resigned his position and joined Peter Obi’s Campaign Team.
Olumba who announced his resignation at a news conference in Owerri on Monday, appealed to his fans to join the campaign team of the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Olumba was a former Transition Committee Chairman of Orlu Local Government Area of Imo and Board Chairman, Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) before his election as APGA legal adviser.
“Today, I want to use this opportunity to announce my resignation as the legal adviser and member of APGA, Imo State Chapter.
“I consider this as a sacrifice and a contribution I have to make towards the task of nation-building, believing that we must build a new Nigeria.
“If we must do what previous generations and some current political leaders have not done, it only requires sacrifice.
My resignation is not borne out of any ill feelings for APGA,” he said.
Olumba, a Principal Partner in Ifeanyi Olumba Chambers, thanked the national leadership, state executives and members of the party in Imo.
“Like many other progressive minded Nigerians who want to see the nation rise again, I hereby throw my weight behind the Peter Datti-Ahmed 2023 presidential project, believing that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria that cannot be handled.
“My faith and believe remain unshaken that in the duo of Obi and Datti-Ahmed, we have found Plato’s ideal philosophers and statesmen,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Ebonyi chapter has conducted fresh primary election for the replacement of Mrs Blessing Egbed, who withdrew from the race for Ebonyi South senatorial seat in 2023 polls.
Egbed is now replaced by Mr Ifeanyi Eleje, who is currently the President, Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Old Boys Association Worldwide.
The News Agency pd Nigeria reports that Egbed, who was elected candidate for the position earlier on May, voluntarily withdrew from the race in the party.
“My withdrawal from the race was to enable the party to balance the power equation to accommodate other parts of the state to ensure victory at the polls,” Egbed said.
Mr Benard Odoh, APGA Gubernatorial candidate in the state, while addressing newsmen described the new primary election as a welcome development in the efforts to move the party forward in Ebonyi.
“The conduct has gone smoothly, no cumbersome process because we were not in contention but for replacement. Somebody has withdrawn and somebody is being replaced.
“We have two other persons who have also withdrawn and two people, who will replace them but we will respect their privacy at the edge and allow the party to do the needful.
“The key most important is that we have successively received the letters of those who have withdrawn and the party will be communicated accordingly.
The State Chairman of the party, Mr Ricky Okorouka, said the primary election was a directive from the superior authorities from the party and INEC.
Okorouka hailed the conduct and urged party faithful to uphold the principles and ideology of APGA to win all positions in 2023..
Eleje, also commended the leadership of the party and expressed happiness for choosing him for the replacement for the zone.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi has fixed Tuesday, July 12 for the conduct of another round of primary elections to replace candidates who left the party ahead of the 2023 general polls.
Ebonyi Chairman of APGA, Mr Ricky Okorouka, told newsmen on Sunday in Abakaliki that candidates would be vying for seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, among other positions.
“The elections will hold at the various secretariats of the party in the state.
“ We have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise,“ he said.
Okorouka urged members to be steadfast and to uphold party principles ideology.
“We intend to replicate the Anambra experience in Ebonyi having chosen a formidable candidate for the 2023 governorship race,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi, said it planned to boycott the forthcoming local government elections in the state unless the cost of nomination fees is reduced.
The party also demanded the State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) to shift the elections date if they were to participate.
The State Chairman of the party, Mr Ricky Okorouka said this in Abakaliki while addressing newsmen after the party’s State Executive Meetings (SEC) on Sunday.
EBSIEC had fixed nomination fee for Chairmanship and councillor positions for N1 million and N200, 000 respectively.
The Commission had also announced July 30 for the local government elections in the state.
Okorouka said his party had decided not to be part of the election unless the fees were reduced.
“So, if EBSIEC wants us to be part of the elections, it should extend the date and remove the nomination fee so far imposed and that is our position.
“They should not use exorbitant fees to disfranchise political parties in Ebonyi LGA polls.
“We had our Executive Meetings, where we involved all the candidates for the 2023 general elections and we deliberated on the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
“Our party, APGA has decided that we may not be part of the election unless the N1 million nomination form fee for chairman’s and N200,000 for councillor’s positions imposed by EBSIEC are reduced.
“We also want the date for the election to be shifted,” he added.
Mr Jossy Eze, Chairman of EBSIEC while reacting, said the decision on the nomination fees and election date were made and decided by all the political parties in the state, where APGA was represented.
Eze said any complaints on the council elections should be directed to the Commission rather than making comments to distract the process.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The 7th Anambra State House of Assembly has marked its 3rd Anniversary in low key in honour of its slain member, the late Mr Okechukwu Okoye. The late Okiye was abducted on May 15, and his headless body and head were discovered in different locations in the state some six days later. In a statement signed by Mr Emma Madu, his Chief Press Secretary, the Speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, on Sunday in Awka extolled the virtues of the late Assemblyman. The Speaker said on behalf of the lawmakers, they had continued to expressed sadness on the death of one of them, Okoye, who was murdered by gunmen. He said that the death of Okoye was the reason the House decided not to celebrate its third anniversary in pump and pageantry as a mark of respect to him. Okafor enjoined Anambra residents to continue to pray for the peace and progress of the state and shun acts capable of tarnishing the image of the state. He said that the state legislature had performed creditably in spite of challenges and commended the seventh Assembly lawmakers for their huge achievements. “We have recorded meaningful developments in our various constituencies in the last three years of our legislature for the growth and development of the entire state,” he said. Okafor said that the seventh Assembly had passed more than 40 bills and over 100 people-oriented and development-driven resolutions within the three years. He attributed the success of the legislature to the peace and unity of purpose among the lawmakers notwithstanding their political affiliations and the collaboration of the Assembly staff members. The speaker listed some of the bills passed as Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranching Establishment Bill, Public Finance Bill, Anambra Information and Technology Bill and Appropriation Bill among others. He reassured Anambra resident’s that the legislature would continue to enact laws and resolutions aimed at improving the living condition of the citizenry and advancing good governance in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Okoye was a member representing Aguata 2 constituency, under the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The late Assemblyman hailed from Isuofia Community, the same as Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra. Okoye was kidnapped on May 15, around Aguluzigbo, Aguata, which lead to a search by the security agencies. The police command in Anambra after six days announced the discovery of a head on Nnobi – Ideani Road in Idemili South on May 21. NAN reports that his body was found near Chisco Park Amichi, a community in Nnewi South area of Anambra. DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, announced that the discovered head and body turned out to be of the late lawmaker. NAN reports that Okoye was abducted and killed alongside his campaign Director, Mr Cyril Chiegboka.
(NAN)
A veteran Journalist, Mr Joseph Waya, on Sunday won the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) primaries for the 2023 governorship election in Benue.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Waya polled 241 votes to defeat Prof. Denen Akaa, a surgeon, who got 33 votes.
Announcing the results on Sunday at the APGA secretariat Makurdi, venue of the primaries, the Returning Officer for the exercise, Mr Abubakar Adamu, declared Waya winner, having polled the highest number of votes at the exercise.
Adamu, who described the exercise as “free and fair”, charged both winner and loser to close ranks to ensure the victory of the party at the 2023 polls in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Waya, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and assured them that with their continued support, APGA would clinch the 2023 governorship race in the state.
He said his development plan for the state would aim at transforming all the sectors of the Benue economy.
He said he was not intimidated by the other parties in the state.
Waya said that he was hopeful of winning the state for his party in the 2023 general elections.
(NAN)
Chief Great Ogboru has clinched the governorship ticket of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Delta.
Ogboru picked the party’s ticket after an affirmation vote at the primary election, held on Sunday at Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The governorship aspirant polled a total of 618 votes from the 625 accr
(NAN)
A Former Senator, Mr Emmanuel Onwe, and two other candidates have been elected as the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) flag-bearers for the house of senate, come 2023 polls.
The former senator, represented Ebonyi Central in the Nigerian Senate from 2010 to 2011.
Onwe is to represent Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone, Mr Chibueze Nwadimbe, Ebonyi North and Mrs Blessing Egbedi is for Ebonyi South.
Mr Casmir Nwafor, Chairman of the Electoral Committee in the primary, said in Abakaliki on Saturday while announcing the winners, that the conduct of the exercise was credible and acceptable.
According to Nwafor, “by the power conferred on me, I, Barrister Casmir Nwafor, the Chairman of Ebonyi Primary election Committee in Ebonyi, I hereby declare Senator Onwe to fly the party’s flag come 2023.
Onwe, he said scored majority vote in the primary.
“Also elected are Mr Chibueze Nwadimbe, for Ebonyi North senatorial zone, and Mrs Blessing Egbedi, for Ebonyi South,” Nwafor explained.
The State Chairman of the party, Mr Ricky Okorouka, also hailed the conduct of the primary and urged the candidates to be focused and ensure that the party wins in 2023.
“The primary election of the candidates was done in line with the provisions of the electoral law, and guidelines released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as the party’s constitution.
“The Senate primary election was successful, smooth and hitch free. The party has one aspirant each in the three senatorial zones, and they emerged unopposed.
“There was no crisis, no gun shots anywhere unlike in other political parties where there is infighting and crisis,” he added.
(NAN)
A group, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) has said that Mr Peter Obi’s withdrawal from the presidential race was a devastating blow on the South-East producing president in 2023.
The President of CRRAN, Mr Olu Omotayo, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Enugu while reacting to Obi’s withdrawal from the 2023 presidential race.
Omotayo said, “With Obi’s resignation, the chance of Igbos in getting president is very slim as party recognised in Nigeria is PDP and the chances of other Igbos in the ruling APC is also a bit slim.
“We expected that the two leading political parties in the country will give ticket to a person from the South-East,” he said.
He explained that when it came to Nigeria, Obi was the dominant figure and his withdrawal showed there was no level playing ground and because of his reputation, he saw no need of wasting his time to contest.
The president noted that many political parties are misapplying the provision of the Electoral Act on consensus candidate by scuttling the whole process.
“It is not only about Obi as some political parties lack integrity by giving preference to certain aspirants against others,” he said.
He, however, advised Igbos to go back to the drawing board to give necessary support to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
He said they should allow the party have a national spread, stressing that the region had supported PDP massively abandoning their own.
Meanwhile, a retired Lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Edwin Morah also called Obi to go back and build APGA into regional party.
According to him, on the basis of that they can negotiate for national relevancy as Igbos lack it.
Morah, who lectures at the Psychological Department of the University, described Obi as a nice guy but advised him to help in building APGA into Igbo party.
“The former governor should go back and support Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and other APGA stakeholders in taking the party to the next level by building it and developing the state.
“They should make APGA win the states in the zone and by then, they will have what is called regional agenda,” he advised.
Morah, the Chairman of Mgborogwu Ndi Igbo, a group that promotes Igbo’s Science and Technology, said there was no way Igboman would be allowed to contest using the two major political parties in Nigeria.
“Peter Obi must have seen something that he cannot condone and resigned.
“Igbos should get their Permanent Voters Cards as thousands are yet to be collected and vote credibly as well as vote according to their conscience,” he advised.
He, however, called for the coming together of other smaller political parties to form stronger party like APC did in 2015 to take over power from APC and PDP in 2023.
(NAN)
