IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Evang Myke Ikoku's Reply To Duruebube Oblong, On Equity.

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 "He who asks for Equity goes with clean hands.

We rightly know that Owerri Zone has about four (4) different blocks if I am not mistaken namely (A) Owerri (B) Mbaise (C) Mbaike (D) Ngo Okpala. The same way Imo state has three (3) different blocks of Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu. Therefore, In this Governorship discussion for Equity to Owerri Zone! My questions are: 

1: Does Owerri Zone within itself practice Equity in the selections of those that will represent their Governorship aspirations?

2:  Is "Owerri Zone Equity" for Eternity (Forever) ? 

3: Is it the fault of Okigwe and Orlu people that Owerri Zone presented an unpopular candidate to Run the race in 2015 who eventually lost to Rochas due to massive votes from the same Owerri Zone? 

4: Is it still again the fault of Okigwe and Orlu Zone that Owerri also presented the same unpopular candidate in 2019 who struggled to attract enough votes to gain the required 25% spread to win the election but was erroneously declared winner by an act of God due to the desire and prayers of Imo people for Equity.?  

5: Is it also the faults of Okigwe and Orlu people that a sitting Equity Governor could not protect the mandate given to our Owerri brother's due to spiritual intervention and collective prayers of Imo People to someone on the 4th position? 

6: Shall Okigwe zone continue to mortgage their own Governorship destiny waiting for Owerri to Utilise the Equity Consideration granted while Owerri Zone continously present the SAME INDIVIDUAL who has past proven General Election records of unacceptability and unpopularity against wishes of Orlu and Okigwe people? 

7: Considering that Okigwe Zone has interests to Utilise their own 8 years after Owerri must have completed their tenure, Dont you think that the continuous Self afflicted Error of Owerri Zone presenting a candidate without practicing Equity within themselves may force the Okigwe Zone to have a rethink of trying their own luck since Owerri may be seen not to be serious in taking their 8 years Equity Consideration?

8: If Owerri Zone do not recognise and practice Equity internally by looking elsewhere within the other three (3) blocks of Owerri Zone, then why is it wrong to say that Orlu Zone should continue to have it? 

I rest my case 🙏

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others over failure to renew their broadcast licences amounting to N2.66 billion.

A statement by NBC on Friday noted that the move followed the publication of a list of stations yet to renew their licences. According to the Commission, a two-week waiver was given to them in May to do so after which they risked the revocation of their broadcast licences.

But three months after the publication, NBC said, “some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.

“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations. Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”

The broadcast regulator said the continued operation of the “debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security”.

It called on other broadcast stations yet to renew their licences for the present duration to do so within the next 30 days or risk punishment. According to NBC, Friday’s list is the first batch of offenders, adding that a second batch will soon be released.

“The Commission also calls on all IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and all other broadcast stations that are streaming online to register with the Commission to avoid disconnection,” it added.

“Broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license does not warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licences.”

The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) says it will work with stakeholders to resolve the matter.

Below is the list of affected stations: 

1. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Abuja

2. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Lagos

3. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Yenagoa

4. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Port Harcourt

5. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Jos

6. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communication Ltd) Benin

7. AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication ltd) Network

8. Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd)

9. FM Network Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd)

10. FM Okene, Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd)

11. FM Suleja Crowther FM (Crowther Communications Ltd) FM Abuja

12. We FM (Kings Broadcasting Ltd)

13. FM Benin Linksman International Itd

14. Keffi Bomay Broadcasting Services Ltd Abuja

15. MITV (Murhi International Group Ltd) Ibadan

16. Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Port-Harcourt

17. Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos

18. Classic TV (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos

19. Beat FM (Megalectrics LTD) Lagos

20. Cooper Communications Ltd Lagos

21. Splash FM (West Midlands Ltd) Ibadan

22. Osun State Broadcasting Corporation

23. Rock City FM (Boot Communications Ltd) Abeokuta

24. Family FM (Kalaks Investments Nig. Ltd) Ilugun

25. Space FM (Creazioni Nig. Ltd) Ibadan

26. Radio Jeremi (Radio Jeremi Itd) Effurun

27. Breeze FM (Bays Water Ltd) Akure

28. Vibes FM (Vibes Communication Ltd) Benin

29. Family Love FM (Multimesh Broadcasting Co. Ltd) Port-Harcourt

30. Wave FM (South Atlantic Media Ltd)

31. Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation

32. Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation

33. Niger State Broadcasting Corporation

34. Gombe State Broadcasting Corporation

35. Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation

36. Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation

37. Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation

38: Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation

39. Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation

40. Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation

41. Imo State Broadcasting Corporation

42. Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation

43. Borno State Broadcasting Corporation

44. Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation

45. Sokoto State Broadcasting Corporation

46. Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation

47. Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation

48. Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation

49. Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation

50. Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation

51. Lagos DSB

52. Silverbird TV (Silverbird Communications Co. Ltd)

By Izuchukwu Opara-Ndudu, - Owerri North

The 2023 primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state have come and gone but not devoid of very intriguing power player amongst the major stakeholders, who fiercely battled to outwit each other in the keenly contest for the tickets of the party, in the three senatorial districts of Imo State.

In Okigwe Zone, in the build up to this exercise, there were spirited calls for the consideration of an automatic ticket for Chief Emma Okewulonu (Ikeoha) the believed winner of the 2020 controversial senate rerun elections, which was albeit decided by several intriguing court judgements that gave the seat to the APC that legally had no valid candidate for the said election.

This call was for Okewulonu to be given a preferential right of first refusal, in compensation for his doggedness and the enormous financial toll of the 2020 race and prolonged court cases was well received by most leaders, officials and party faithfuls of the PDP in the zone.

In fact, critical meetings were initiated to effect this noble initiative until an unexpected twist reared its ugly head in this race.

Suddenly, the son of one of the main rivals of Chief Okewulonu in the ill-fated 2020 race Senator Godwin Araraume, Barr. Ifeanyi Araraume who is adjudged to be a close associate of the self acclaimed leader of the party in Imo, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, threw his hat into the contest for this coveted seat.

The late entrance of the lagal luminary and young entrepreneur into this race sent shock waves across the party in Okigwe zone.

We have it on good authority that spirited efforts, consultations and entreaties were launched by the Okewulonu political family led by Chief Chris Okewulonu (Ebekuo Dike) on behalf of his brother to Hon Ihedioha, the state party hierarchy and zonal leaders to prevail on the enterprising Barr Araraume to backoff from his belated quest from the race.

Incidentally, most of these pleas yielded no positive fruits as the young man remained adamant in his pursuit and during an interaction with the media in a briefing at Oxygen Hotels Resort, Owerri, Ifeanyi categorically informed the audience that he has the backing of the self acclaimed leader of the party in the state, Chief Ihedioha and other critical leaders of the party to join the race.

Further inquiries by our crew at the PDP Headquarters, Abuja revealed that Barr. Araraume’s nomination and expression of interest forms were personally paid for and collected by one, Ike Uche, Hon Ihedioha's Personal Assistant on behalf of Ifeanyi Araraume.

This discovery rattled our team as the Okewulonu's are perceived to be very close confidants and political associates of Chief Ihedioha but politics and politicians being what they are, betrayals and realignments won't come as a surprise to many.

The contest was fierce but Chief Okewulonu came out tops in the heavily expensive delegate primaries.

As we all thought the sordid stories of betrayals and sleaze would fadeout with the conclusion of the exercise, stories broke out of the dissatisfaction of the National Chairman of the party with the outcome of the Okigwe Zone Senatorial primaries after all the assurances and recommendations in favor of Barr Araraume by Ihedioha before the primaries.

Confirmed stories have it that, on a particular occasion, Hon Ihedioha in a meeting between him, Ifeanyi and the National Chairman in the chairman's house, assured the National Chairman that Ifeanyi was a better choice than Chief Okewulonu, insisting that Ikeoha has ran for House of Representative twice and Senate once and failed all elections so wasn't a very marketable aspirant. 

Ihedioha, as gathered also told the Chairman that the senate seat has been occupied by a particular section in okigwe zone (the south) for 16 years and that there's a justified strong clamor for the northern part of the zone where Barr Ifeanyi Araraume comes from to occupy that seat in 2023.

It was on the strength of the above presentations by Ihedioha to Senator Ayu that led to the party to jettison the idea of a consensus candidature in favor of Okewulonu.

Today, the Araraumes who seemed to have a strong commitment with Ihedioha for his support are shocked at the turn of events, the Okewulonu's we here spent through their nose to clinch this ticket, an avoidable expensive venture that can hamper their readiness for the main election financially against the ruling party APC and the emerging Labour/Obi movement, if only Ihedioha and his leadership had done the needful.

The report of the fiercely fought battles for the Owerri and Orlu Senatorial tickets will be brought your way in the subsequent editions of this series.

Our poser is, how will Imo PDP and Ihedioha surmount these attendant challanges as a result of their role in the fractured primaries exercise in Imo State? Only time will tell!

By Emenalom Chukwudi

Hon. David Ekene Achinulo is the Young Progressive Party candidate for Imo State House of Assembly, Isiala Mbano State Constituency in the forthcoming general election in 2023.

The young man has distinguished himself as one who is committed and dedicated to serving the people of Isiala Mbano State constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly in 2023.

This response became necessary following  the arguments and debates currently going on among the peace loving youths of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state as which Clan among Osuh, Ugiri and Mbama that should produce the next House of Assembly member in 2023.

It's a fact known that Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo is on a tripodal of three, that's; Osuh clan as the first son, Ugiri as the second son and Mbama Clan as the last son of Isiala Mbano

I have taken my time to look at some of the arguments and posers raised by my brothers in the three clans of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and I wonder why they make much ado over nothing when the issue of sharing formula is very clear for even the blind to see that since Osuh clan who happens to be the first son had taken their slot in Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins that represents Isiala Mbano State Constituency at the Imo state House of Assembly and Ugiri clan has the Local Government Party chairman in the person of Sir Obichendu Onyeoma CY and Hon. Geofrank Ijezie, the SOLAD of the Local Government, So equity, fairness and natural justice demand that somebody from Mbama Clan should be allowed to produce the next House of Assembly member to balance the equation and which the people of the clan had collectively presented Hon. David Ekene Achinulo, the YPP candidate as the adopted one for the clan in 2023.

 This is very unfair for any of the two aforementioned Clans that's Osuh and Ugiri to still want to lay claim in the coveted seat of the Imo State House of Assembly in 2023 when Mbama Clan has finally presented a youth with the passion and dedication to serve his people diligently.

Going forward, the position of the next House of Assembly member for Isiala Mbano State constituency should not be seen as one that should cause rancor and acrimony given the obvious reasons that when you go back to memory lane, you will agree with me on this wholeheartedly that the people of Mbama Clan are very much right to demand the position because they are and remains that should lay claim to the seat given the obvious reason that the three clans of Isiala Mbano Local Government has tasted the position.

This is to say that since the three clans had alI gotten their turn through Hon. Jasper Ndubuaku between 1999 to 2007, Hon. Simeon Iwunze between 2007 to 2015 and Hon. Lady Joy Mbawuike and Hon. Chiji Collins shared amongst them between 2015 to 2023 just to buttres my point, and for the sake of equity, fairness and natural justice, Mbama Clan with a young and vibrant candidate in the person of Hon David Ekene Achinulo should be fully supported in 2023 to represent us at the Imo State House of Assembly without further delay.

It is important to mention certain names here for the people to know the injustice that is about to be meted out to Mbama Clan if Osuh and Ugiri clans succeeded in imposing on the people the next House of Assembly member for the Isiala Mbano State constituency seat.

Quest for zoning came to the fore in the wake of the keenly contested chairmanship between Hon chief Simon Iwunze and others ... Late 90s to early 2000 and the leaders of the three clans came to a round table and agreed that the issue of sharing formula which be rotated among the three brothers. 

The injustice that had been meted out to Mbama clan is very glaring for the doubting thomas to see that Osuh and Ugiri clans are taking advantage of the obvious fact of seniority to deny Mbama clan some rights and privileges throwing in wind the issue of sharing formula to the dustbin. 

Is it not right and fair that after Ugiri and Osuh had taking their respective turn that Mbama clan will ascend the seat of House of Assembly member for Isiala Mbano State constituency? Or does it mean that the zoning formula only favours Osuh and Ugiri clans?

It is morally wrong for the people of Osuh Clan to wanting to go for the Isiala Mbano House of Assembly seat in 2023 when in the right and actual sense they occupies the exalted seat now through Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins at the Imo state House of Assembly and the member that represents Okigwe North at the green chamber of the national Assembly through Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha.

Is it that Mbama clan are outcast in their own father's land? It's high time the people of Osuh and Ugiri clans respectively take caution and allow Mbama clan to ascend the seat of House of Assembly member for the Isiala Mbano State constituency for equity, fairness and justice.

The people of Mbama clan have technocrats and captains of industries that are highly qualified to represent the Isiala Mbano State constituency and why then is Osuh and Ugiri clans are trying so hard to deny Mbama it's rightfully place in the politics of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area? 

It's morally and ethically wrong for Osuh clan wanting to take a double portion when Mbama clan are yet to take one. Osuh and Ugiri clans must settle for one and since Osuh clan has the House of Assembly seat and Ugiri has the chairman of the party, Mbama clan should be supported to produce the next House of Assembly member in 2023.

It is on the strength of the above submission that I think that the people of Mbama clan are the right people to produce the next House of Assembly member for Isiala Mbano State House in 2023 and good a thing that they have presented a very young man desirous of changing the narrative in the area.

From all I have stated so far,  anyone with good conscience will expect that going by equity, fairness and justice, Mbama clan should be allowed to produce the next House of Assembly member for Isiala Mbano State constituency

Therefore, let all the people of good conscience rally round and support Hon. David Ekene Achinulo to represent the people of Isiala Mbano State constituency in 2023.

The young man has the solutions of the problems and challenges confronting the people of Isiala Mbano State constituency.

Emenalom Chukwudi writes from Ogbor in Ugiri Clan of Isiala Mbano.

By Chike Linus

In what seems to be an official response by the apex socio-cultural and Political group of the Mbaise nation, the Ezurezu Mbaise leadership in her Swift response to the campaign of calumny against the group by a disgruntled political team led by those whose paternities are yet to be traced to any Aboriginal family in Mbaise nation, questioning her honoring of the Imo state Governor with a clan chieftaincy tittle of "Enyioha Mbaise".

The Ezurezu Mbaise noted that such tittle as conferred on the Governor at the just concluded "Iri Ji Mbaise" is reserved for worthy sons and daughters of Imo state with traceable paternities in Imo.

You recall in one of the articles by one Ambrose Nwaogwugwu from Mbaise and a member of the current Imo State Government media team stated that by the characters, actions and behaviour of the former short lived Governor of Imo state, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, he alleged that his paternity cannot be said to be of the Mbaise origin. 

According to Mr Nwagwugwu,Hon Ihedioha is alleged to from the decendants of the "Aros" from neighboring state which he said, informed the reason for his alleged greedy and treacherous actions against the Mbaise people who are their landlords.

Now, considering the Ezuruezu Mbaise's statement on the legitimacy of the Imo state sonship of Sen. Hope Uzodinma and the revelation of the alleged Aros’ parternity of the former Governor, that it defined why the Apex Traditional and cultural group of the Mbaise nation defiled the threats and antics of their sojourner to honour Governor Uzodinma, whom they described as a real son of the soil.

By the action of the Ezuruezu mbaise, it therefore revealed the joy and happiness of the Mbaise nation when the court recovered the headship crown of Imo from a the alleged foreigner back to the son of the soil.

To the larger Imo people, this message by the Ezuruezu Mbaise must be implemented to the latter in the coming governorship election of the state come 2023/2024.

It therefore gives credence to the Biblical portion which says that food meant for the children of God shall not be given to the dogs. As 2023/2024 approaches, it therefore behoves on Imo people to note and remember that no one can protect and preserve Imo more and better than a Son or Daughter from the state.

The Director-General of Divine Mandate Movement (DMM), Hon Ngozi Ogbu has said that the person who will recover Imo State from the doldrums of misrule would soon be unveiled.

Speaking at an interactive session with newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday, Hon. Ogbu, a former member of the Imo State House of Assembly told Imolites not to despair any longer.

According to him, all arrangements had been made not only for man’s unveiling but also his enthronement so he could stop the state’s descent to the precipice.

The former Chairman of Okigwe Local Government Area assured that with the man on the driver’s seat, the state would be restored on the path of growth and progress.

Also speaking, the Chairman, DMM, Evangelist Myke Ikoku said he would not have agreed to join the team to work for the emergence and election of the man if he was not convinced of his sterling leadership qualities.

Describing the man as a listening leader, Evangelist Ikoku, who is also the proprietor of Allseasons Hotel Owerri, said of all the politicians in the state at present, the man is the only person who listens and takes advice on how to move the state forward.

Ikoku explained that the state was tired of having its indigenes who not only live outside but also do not have much at stake mis-govern it.

He said he floated Hopism Movement to assist the administration of Senator Hope Uzodimma to engender good governance but had to exit when he found out that the administration was not ready to offer good governance to the state.

Ikoku disclosed that he went about empowering youths of the state because he believes in the well-being of the people, reason, he said, he established his businesses in the state.