IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

An elder statesman and senior lawyer, Robert Clarke, SAN, Monday in Abuja, said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should serve for an extra six months to give him enough time to address the country’s security woes.

Clarke stated that with less than a year to the 2023 elections there was not enough time to address the insecurity to ensure a safe exercise.

Speaking on Arise Television programme, he noted that the Constitution provided the President to extend his tenure for six months in the first instance if conditions were not ripe for an election.

He, however, warned that the nation may not scale through 2023 if nothing was done before the elections.

“The Constitution provides that the President can stay longer than eight years. I’ve always said it. It is in the Constitution. If the situation in which we’re in now continues, and it is impossible to vote in the 2023 elections, the Constitution says if a situation persists, the President can stay. Given all insurgencies, kidnappings, and Boko Haram, I don’t think in these areas of Nigeria, we can have a good election.

“So, the fact that the Constitution says the president cannot stay for more than eight years is wrong. Because the same constitution says he can be given six months if those conditions persist.

“Now, I don’t see any green light. I don’t see how what is happening today can be stopped within six months from today or before February next year when the elections will be held.

The Senate on Tuesday amended the Electoral Act, 2022, to allow ‘statutory delegates’ – all those elected – to participate and vote in the conventions, congresses, or meetings of political parties. This followed the expeditious consideration of a bill during plenary which scaled first, second and third readings, respectively, and was passed by the lawmakers after consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

Those identified as ‘statutory delegates’ include the President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly, governors and their deputies, members of the State Houses of Assembly, chairmen of councils, councillors, and national working committee of political parties, amongst others. In his presentation, the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who sponsored the ‘Bill to amend the 2022 Electoral Act No. 13,’ said it seeks to amend the provision of Section 84(8) of the law.

According to him, the provision of the section “does not provide for the participation of what is generally known as ‘statutory delegates’ in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties.” “The extant section only clearly provides for the participation of elected delegates in the conventions, congresses, or meetings of political parties held to nominate candidates of political parties. “This is an unintended error, and we can only correct it with this amendment now before us”, the Deputy Senate President said.

In his remarks after the bill was passed, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the amendment became imperative in view of the deficiency created by the provision of section 84(8) of the extant Act.

As the 2023 Elections are drawing closer, Aspirants are consulting and meeting critical stakeholders in a bid to convince them why they are the best for the job, Hon. Ndubuisi Uwakwe is not left out as he is doting his I's and crossing his T's.

In his reign as the Honorable Member that will represent Owerri North State Constituency, he will bring onboard people oriented projects that will impact more on the rural dwellers. Currently, he is consulting and knowing the yawning of the people.

Hon. Ndubuisi is so committed in providing succor to the downtrodden in the society. The oppressed, motherless and fatherless children, widows, and other disadvantaged ones shall once again smile because they are on the plan of Hon. Ndubuisi.

He is a Technocrat that will bring to bear good ideas that will help the State Government in policy making that will turn the fortunes of the state for the better because Leadership is working with goals and vision.

The People's Democratic Party, PDP Owerri North delegates are enjoined to vote for the man that can drive home people's oriented projects to the LGA and help in making bills that will better the lives of the people.

A vote for Hon. Ndubuisi Uwakwe is a vote for the progress of Owerri North Local Government Area.

Ndubuisi Uwakwe Media Office.

By Kelechi Uzoma, 08064075316

I have taken it upon myself to rate the performance and achievements of Senator Frank Ibezim in his one year stay at the Red chamber of the national Assembly.

Senator Frank Ibezim was sworn in on the 27th of April, 2021, to represent the Imo North Senatorial district otherwise known as Okigwe zone after so many litigations from and within the Senatorial district but God showed himself and didn't allow the plans of the wicked ones to prevail over the chosen one.

This is the more reason why I am here to give you the summary of my factual findings and exploits of Senator Frank Ibezim has made within his first one year at the Red chamber of the national Assembly.

I don't think I can achieve this noble objective without tracing the challenges he encounters before his emergence as the lawmaker that represents the good people of Okigwe zone at the national Assembly.

As you are aware, the late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu unfortunately died December 2019, and it took about One year and five months for his replacement to take place which is the reason why Senator Frank Ibezim is in his one year in office.

The implication is that for this long period of time, including about five months that late Uwajumogu stayed out due to litigations before joining his colleagues, Imo North had no representative in the senate hence no input into the 2021 Budget.

Consequently, there was nothing on ground for the Okigwe zone constituency before the arrival of Senator Frank Ibezim. As you know, it is the provisions in the budget for every constituency that determines whatever dividend this constituency receives.

Because of these challenges, Okigwe zone suffered three tragedies of loss of our senator, lateness to the senate and nothing in the budget for the take off of Senator Frank Ibezim. 

With God on his side and the combined goodwill of our Governor and the Honourable Minister of state for Education, Barr Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Senator Frank Ibezim was properly aligned and introduced to the Ahmed Lawan senate leadership, which he gave his all to sustain the relationship which enabled him to secure some committee positions that have translated into lifeline achievements and dividends for Okigwe zone senatorial district.

This is one of the many reasons his colleagues supported every of his motions and bills. favourable resolutions arising therefrom, sponsorship of two bills, one at the second reading stage while the other has been read first.

It is a fact known that Senator Frank Ibezim has attracted five key Federal Government Intervention Fundings of palliative and strong economic significance to Okigwe zone people.

These interventions are the Bank of Industry N30,000 Survival Funds which not less than 400 persons of Imo North benefitted, N60,000 Special Public Works Program of which not less than 300 persons received, N500,000 Covid 19 Relief loan, with over 200 beneficiaries, N60,000 Job Security Stipends and N100,000 National Directorate of Employment loan,which started hitting the accounts of our people in the month of December 2021, 350 persons have already confirmed receipt and these last two schemes are still on going to cover not less than 600 persons respectively.

Admittedly, not less than 1000 persons of his constituents have benefitted from these intervention programs which have alleviated the pains and boosted the economy of households, families and communities in Imo North Senatorial District.

As one in love with foundation education, Senator Frank Ibezim flagged off the program of Classroom Libraries in our Primary Schools in the country using at least 18 Primary Schools in Okigwe zone as pilot.

He have also motivated Teachers through Cash Prizes, to elicit their commitment and passion towards this project.

Senator Frank Ibezim has facilitated Federal Government Employment of so many of his constituents, apart from obtaining their appointment letters, not less than 300 persons are programmed to undergo documentations for various federal jobs in Aviation, Ministry of Education, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Road Safety and National Task Force among others.

I view this and with a sense of fulfilment because the human capital development profile of Okigwe zone will enjoy a quantum leap when all of these jobs are fully consummated.

The Imo North lawmaker through his six Constituency offices opened in each of the LGAs of Okigwe zone, has effected the training of our women and youths in different enterpreneurial areas to make private sector drive our economy.

While he's preparing for the take off of the construction of Okigwe Power Transmission Sub Station which his first motion catalyzed, Senator Frank Ibezim has been able to facilitate the construction of a Solar Power Plant for Ehime Mbano and Ihitte Uboma LGAs and another, targeted for Okigwe North is on the way.

The football loving youths of Okigwe zone are not left out as arrangements are in place to ensure their exposure to the international football market through my Football Academy.

It is my strong hope that this year will record a huge landmark for Imo North Senatorial District from the input of Senator Frank Ibezim in 2022 Budget.

I challenge all the doubting thomas in Okigwe zone to confirm these Verifiably 12-POINT UNDENIABLE ACHIEVEMENTS Below :

1) Sponsored Two Bills At Different Stages Of Passage, Moved And Supported Motions Of Zonal, State And National Significance.

2) Attracted Five Federal Government Intervention Funds Which Benefitted People Variously Across The 6 LGAs Of Okigwe Zone.

3) Established Constituency Offices Which Have Employed Officers And Given Training To Constituents On Different Areas Of Entrepreneurship.

4) Secured Federal Government Jobs(Employment) To Quite A Number Of His Constituency Members And Contracts To Others.

5) Donated Classroom Libraries To 18 Primary Schools, Motivated Teachers With Stipends, As A Pilot Program To Its National Spread and Sensitized The Pupils/School Community Against Drug Abuse Particularly The Methamphetamine Hydrochloride Called Mkpurummiri In Igbo Parlance.

6) Attracted The Installation Of The First Solar Power Plant For Use By Okigwe South Component Of Imo North At Ihite Uboma LGA While That For Okigwe North Is Being Worked Out.

7) Launched The Senator Frank Ibezim Football Academy For Support To Talented Football Enthusiasts Of The Constituency Which Engagements Already Started.

8) Gave Different Levels Of Financial Support To Constituents And Partnered with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to visit with support the Amauzari Community, Market and Victims Of The Flood Disaster.

9) Donated Transformers And Boreholes To Some Communities.

10) Participated With Strong Inputs To The 2022 Budget(Appropriation) And Different Oversight Functions Respectively.

11) Facilitated The Visit Of The Inspection Teams Of The EEDC, NERC, NDDC and TCN To The Okigwe Power Transmission Sub Station Site, Down To Ohiya, Umuahia Power Station.

It is on record that the NDDC is currently drawing a direct line from Ohiya, Umuahia Station to Malaysia Market, while EEDC takes it up through Ihitte Uboma to the Open University at Ezeoke Nsu in Ehime Mbano decongesting Obowo for service to its sorroundings while the commitment of the TCN is secured to expeditiously install a full capacity mobile Power Transmission Station at the Okigwe Power Transmission Sub Station site, along the Okigwe- Umuahia area of the Enugu- PorrHarcourt Express Road, to serve Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Arondizuogu and part of Orlu to free the Egbu Station to effectively serve Owerri axis.

This breakthrough in power supply by Ibezim is a historic milestone deserving our applause.

12)Partnered with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to sponsor a 6- Day Free Medical Outreach in 18 Centers in Imo North Senatorial District.

I am of the strong opinion that if he could achieve this much and solving the agelong power supply problems in Okigwe zone, he deserves to return to the Senate to consolidate the achievements and use his ranking status to do more for Imo North Senatorial District.

There every wisdom in this objective stand and I'm convinced that Okigwe people of positive civilization won't depart from this informed reasoning.

Let the justice that is meant to serve all guide Governor Hope Uzodimma, APC delegates and Okigwe zone stakeholders in making the right decision.

Kelechi Uzoma is a practicing journalist and public affairs analyst based in Owerri, the Imo State Capital.

A 40-year-old broadcaster, Uche Igwe, who allegedly shared on Twitter, a video of a 10-year- old Chrisland School student, who engaged in sexual intercourse, was Monday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

Igwe, who resides at No. 14 Ogundare Street in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, is facing a two-count charge of cyberstalking and breach of peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.