IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Shettima is currently trending on Twitter over the outfit he wore to the NBA Colloquium today, August 22, in Lagos State.

The vice presidential candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party represented the Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

For the event, Shettima, who regularly wears native attires, wore a loose suit and paired it with a pair of sneakers, a combination Nigerians found fault with.

While many slammed his stylist, others questioned why the presidential candidates for other political parties were present while Tinubu sent his vice presidential candidate. 

See reactions below.

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy Manchester United. News of the 69-year-old's interest follows a Bloomberg report that the Glazer family are willing to sell a minority stake in the club. "If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer," Ratcliffe's spokesperson told The Times.

"If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership." United, 20-time English champions, are bottom of the Premier League after losing both their opening games of the season under new manager Erik ten Hag.

The woeful start has intensified criticism of the Glazers and their perceived lack of investment in the team. This summer has seen new signings fail to materialise, including a fruitless pursuit of Barcelona's Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Old Trafford.

The club has struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and has not won a trophy since 2017.

- Pressure Party To Respect Micro Zoning Amongst Downplayed Blocks

By Chika Uzoma

Analysts have called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state to reject the participation of any Mbaise person in the party’s Governorship primaries, adding that it would amount to injustice to allow them after the block had retained the ticket for two consecutive uninterrupted times in 2015 and 2019 respectively.

In a live phone in radio programme anchored by Chideraa Uja and Eustace Okere with the topic, “Imo State Governorship: Any Need For Equity In Owerri Zone?” on Boss Radio 98.9 fm, the Analysts advised the leadership of the party in the state not to allow any person from the Mbaise block to be part of the primary having benefitted for many times.

The known Analysts, a trio of Mazi Uzochukwu Azuatalam (former PDP Chairman, Owerri West), IK Ogbonna (Journalist/PR Expert) and Sir Sunny Ndukwu maintained that allowing the Mbaise block the chance to be involved in the party’s Governorship primaries, will be a shortest route for the party to lose the 2023 elections.

According to them, if the block deliberately failed to firmly hold onto power that was collectively but freely given to them, there is no reason to believe that such block will ever win even if given another chance.

The Analysts further appealed to the party to look inwards and take into considerations the yearnings of party members, who according to them are eagerly clamoring for a rotation of the ticket to other blocks that have been downplayed.

They suggested that if PDP ticket is ceded to other blocks like Ngor Okpala, Mbaike or Owerri that are yet to benefit, the injustice “nmegbu adighi nma” being widely spoken against will be seen to be genuine by those championing it.

Other callers who made contributions also advised the party to allow a fresh person to fly PDP ticket in the 2023 Governorship election, as a way of showing respect to the micro zoning within the party.

The callers further noted that aside Governorship seat, Mbaise has produced the highest number of Senators in Owerri Zone and by extension, Imo state since the inception of democracy in 1999.

They warn against an impending doom for the party if its is allowed to be hijacked by another Mbaise indigene, adding that it would be practically wrong to expect new result while old formula is consistently used.

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

__________

 "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!