IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

...Says, Ticket Can’t Be Reserved For Anyone

State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state, Nze Raymond Emeana has stated in clear terms that the party’s Governorship ticket is open to every qualified party member, adding that it would never be reserved for any individual.

Nze Emeana made this disclosure at a meeting of the Imo PDP stakeholders at the party’s Secretariat, Owerri, the capital of Imo state.

According to Nze Emeana, Imo PDP Chief Scribe, nobody has the right to stop anybody from aspiring to any position through the party, urging party members with such mindsets to rescind it.

He said, “The 2023 elections is so important to us and our party; therefore, there is need to encourage everyone to join the Guber race. It is wrong to stop any qualified party member from contesting. This is because, when we have various Governorship aspirants, the chances of wining the 2023 elections will be brightened”

Emeana reiterated that such privilege to aspire to any position one desires was the inalienable right of every Nigerian citizen enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He unequivocally noted that individuals should be encouraged to aspire to any position of their choice, noting that such aspirations would go a long way to bring PDP members in the state together and discourage infightings.

In his remarks, National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, represented by his Principal Secretary, Dr Bruno Ekwelem thanked the State Working Committee for the far reaching efforts they are making to get the party ready ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Dr Ekwelem further enjoined the party faithfuls in the state to eschew mudslinging and image slandering of party leaders, urging them to remain united to be able to chase the ruling APC out of power in 2023.

By Ikenna ONUOHA

A widely cited postulation asserts that, “few leaders are born, some learnt leadership while others accepted leadership”, but in all, a good leader is always charismatic, cool headed and passionate about human lives.

Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu widely known as “Samdaddy” is a firebrand politician who has contributed immensely in salvaging, Owerri Zone, Imo state and South East both in part and in whole. 

His moves to effect a pragmatic change in people's lives can be said to have started when this young Amaimo Ikeduru born political scientist was elected as the Secretary General of Imo State Youths Organization (IYO) around 1983. 

As the Chief scribe of the umbrella body of Imo Youths, he naturally became schooled in the life and character of the Youths and was as well, exposed to the many challenges facing the Youths of Imo State. 

As a charismatic leader with the interest of the people at heart, the youthful Samuel Anyanwu bestowed upon himself, the great burden of ameliorating the sorrow state of Imo Youths.

When he was appointed the Transition Commitee Chairman of Ikeduru LGA in 2003, Samuel Anyanwu used the short period of his tenure to convince his people of Ikeduru LGA that he is ready and well prepared to effect a positive change in their lives. This conviction was instrumental to his victory at the Local Government Council election of 2004 where he emerged winner.

In 2007, Samuel Anyanwu got a higher responsibility to represent the people of Ikeduru in the Imo State House of Assembly, a mandate that was renewed in 2011 due to his track record of achievements. 

It is on the record that as soon as he assumed duties at the State House of Assembly, Samuel Anyanwu manifested his campaign slogan "Action" into a concretized program by fulfilling step by step, his campaign promises of poverty reduction through Youth and Women empowerment and constituency project, a move through which he salvaged Ikeduru State Constituency in particular and the state at large.

After a wonderful and result oriented representation of Ikeduru at the State Assembly, Samuel Anyanwu got the mandate to represent Owerri Senatorial District at the Nigerian Senate. A position that offered him great opportunity to broaden the horizon of empowerment carnival.

Convincingly, Senator Samdaddy proved to both friends and foes that he is, and still always be the man for the job. He demystified the Nigerian Senate and brought the dividends of democracy to the people of Owerri Senatorial District and the entire South East geopolitical zone just as he did for Ikeduru State Constituency. 

His tripod campaign promise of being a strong voice, youth and women empowerment and attraction of projects to Owerri zone was simultaneously dealt with. Today, most of his major signature structures and projects littered around every nook and crannies of the Senatorial District are quite testimonial and legendary.

As a strong voice which he promised the people of Owerri Senatorial District,  Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu despite being a first timer at the Senate has to his credit several people oriented bills and motions. 

Excepts of those bills is a bill for the establishment of the South East Development Commission which was finally passed and the upgrading of Alvan Ikoku Federal Collage of Education to a Federal University of Education. 

These bills, no doubt became beacon of hope to the entire South East targeted at creating flurry of job opportunities to the region and as well, position the zone towards a radical infrastructural revolution. Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu also sponsored a Bill for the restructuring of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

On his promise of Youths and Women empowerment, Senator Samdaddy rattled both his friends and foes by facilitating the employment of graduates from Owerri zone and the South East into federal ministries, Agencies, Parastatals thereby giving them a life and pensionable jobs.

He unpretentiously effected the admission of students from Imo state into Federal Tertiary Institutions. Thousands of his constituents were not just trained in different skills, but were also empowered and mobilized with start up funds.

On his promise to attract projects, a tour round Owerri Senatorial District before and at present, two years after he left office will convince even an enemy worse than the devil that Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu has actually salvaged the people of Owerri Senatorial District just as he did for his Ikeduru State Constituency.

Presently serving as National Secretary of the main opposition party (PDP) and the largest political party in the entire West Africa, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu has sagaciously teamed up with his colleagues to hit the ground running. 

No wonder their achievements within the short period they assumed office has sent signals to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that “Agwo no’ na Akirika” meaning, the dog is in the manger.

As much as no one stops on the road till he reaches his destination, Nigeria, South East, Imo State and Owerri Zone need the salvaging hands and expertise of Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu especially as Imo ranks high in debt profile, high rate of unemployment, lack of basic social amenities, insecurity and blood spillage on a daily bases. 

Imo and the South East need

a truly, experienced and committed Political Scientist with knack in Administration that is capable of placing the zone and the state on a sound political cum scientific diagnosis with verifiable lasting solutions to strike an action.

Currently, Imo state and the South East zone  require credible person with the Midas touch to practically effect the needed changes that will put the society in proper perspective and on a high pedestal of development.

On his ability or rather capacity to deliver, an Igbo proverbs say, "Mmadu oga egbu agu ole tupu o zaa ogbu agu?" meaning "How many lions can one kill before answering a killer of Lion?", Senator Samdaddy is every ready and development packed to turn things around.

It is clear even to critics that Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu did it as the executive Chairman of Ikeduru LGA, as a House member for Ikeduru State Constituency, he delivered far more than he promised and as a Senator, not minding the fact that he was a first timer, his performance became a celebrated defeat for his challengers and the glorification of his followers.

The sacred scripture confirms that he who is faithful in small things will as well be faithful in great things, a saying which is synonymous with the life and character of Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu. It is a fact that his achievements over the years will serve as a springboard for more sterling performances.

In him, there is truly a realistic hope for the less privileged, the down trodden and the entire society.

By so doing, we shall be expecting Imo and the South East of our collective dreams!

By Chike Olisah. 

The crisis rocking the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have deepened and taken a dangerous twist as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has dared the party leadership to suspend him if they so desire and get ready for the consequences.

Wike, who in a sarcastic manner, begged the party not to waste time in suspending him, said that if they do, they should accept whatever consequence follows.

This was made known by Governor Wike while answering questions from select journalists during a media chat on Friday in Port Harcourt, saying that the party’s leadership knows what he is capable of.

What Governor Wike is saying. 

Speaking during the media chat held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Wike said, “I beg them today, they should not waste time to suspend me.”

“They should call a National Executive Committee (NEC) – meeting – now and say ‘you are now suspended from the party’. Anything you see, you take. They know what I will do.”

The governor has been in the news recently, criticising his political party on whose platform he was elected governor for two terms over their handling of the fallout of the party’s presidential primaries and the picking of the vice presidential candidate.

In his reaction to a question following the retinue of visitors from other political parties that have visited him in the midst of the crisis in the party and if it does not amount to anti-party activities, the governor described himself as an asset, hence politicians across party lines were visiting him.

Wike said, “I dare them to do it. They know what I can do. A child who says his father will not sleep, will also not sleep.

“If you are an asset people will come to you. Who is a pretty girl that people don’t want to talk to?”

He stated that if the party’s national chairman loves the party and wants it to win the coming elections, he should honour his words and step down for a Southerner to succeed him.

“If Ayu says he loves this party so much and wants it to win elections, he should keep his word and leave. I heard if the PDP wins the election, the national chairman wants to be Secretary of the Government of the Federation. Somebody else wants to be Senate President.

“They have shared positions. They pressured the BoT chairman to resign. Why didn’t they pressure the national chairman to resign?

“The problem is that we have not won elections and we are too arrogant. All they know is name-calling. Wike did this, Wike camp did that. Why not address the issues?

“They are saying we can do without Wike. Some of those supporting Atiku are his enemies. Some of them are from Edo.’’

What you should know. 

Governor Wike lost the PDP’s presidential ticket after scoring 237 votes to come behind former Vice President Atiku who polled 371 votes to win the party’s primary conducted in May.

Weeks after the presidential primary was held, Atiku named Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate despite reportedly earlier promising the ticket to Wike.

While Governor Wike said he had accepted the outcome of the primary in good faith, he insisted that Senator Iyorchia Ayu must resign as the party’s national chairman for the sake of equity since a northern presidential candidate has emerged.

His actions, however, are said to have been perceived by some as anti-party activities amid speculations that the PDP leadership might be planning to sanction him.

The Rotary Club on Wednesday, September, 21st, 2022, honored Evang Myke Ikoku, Chairman All Seasons group as an ' Ambassador Of Peace'.

The award ceremony was part of a program of activities conducted by the rotary club to celebrate World Peace Day. 

Ikoku who is also Chairman of Divine Mandate Movement, DMM, a political campaign structure of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen Samuel Anyanwu, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the event, thanking them for finding him worthy.

The Ambassador Of Peace recognition was awarded to Evang Myke Ikoku to build on the role of the Imo born entrepreneur and philanthropist in promoting unity, stability and development in the society. 

Ikoku is adjudged as the foremost indigenous  investor in Imo state having all his chain of businesses domiciled in the state. 

According to research, Ikoku in the past two decades has offered employment to over 600 Imo youths in various departments of his private establishment.

He is also the proprietor of Boss Radio FM, Owerri and BizziBodi FM and he is known for his crusade against use of hard drugs " MKPURU MMIRI" by our younger generation, no doubt, he deserves the honor bestowed on him. He is indeed, a man of many parts.

We wish him more recognitions in the near future.....

Once again, Congratulations to the Chairman of Divine Mandate Movement, DMM, Evang Myke Ikoku

...... The Future Is Bright

©️ Divine Mandate Movement Media Directorate

22/09/2022

.... BEWITCHED WITH POLITICAL 'OKRO HAND'   ( PART 1)

By Sunny Ndukwu

The Christian view of destiny believes there is a place for the sovereign will of God, but also, there is a place for man's personal choice.

 For us to fulfil our destiny, we must make the right decisions and choices.

" Someone who's destined is fated or meant to do something. If your mom says you're destined for a life on the stage, she means that it's certain you'll

" People destined for greatness aren't considered rational or realistic by society's standards.

Chief Emeka Ihedioha wanted to divert attention from the review of his abysmal failure/outing in the past governorship election in the state ranging from the 2015-2019 which is currently gaining momentum in the political space by gathering some of his former aides who served as Commissioners and Special Advisers while he was governor for seven months, appealing to them to help him actualise his age long governorship ambition. 

I thought he had something sudden, something disruptive to offer when he convened an emergency meeting with all his lieutenants in attendance at his Mbutu Mbaise residence penultimate month.

  The most amusing was his pledge to retain all his aides in the respective positions they occupied in his Seven months short-lived administration as an erroneously declared winner of the 2019 Imo governorship election. 

Of course, Imo has turned into a camp of many tents. "To your tent Oh tribes" is a refrain that rends our souls. But who to do that? Ihedioha?

 A man whom when he was illegally declared governor of the state by INEC, was busy dishing out expulsion notices through his surrogates in then state exco of the party to perceived political opponents who supported his rival in the Party's primaries that produced him as candidate even when the primaries have now been confirmed was marred by electoral fraud, ballot stuffing and other electoral malpractices. A man who cannot bring his party together? 

A physician that cannot heal himself? His candidacy in the last 2019 governorship election  threw the party into a chaos of cards. In his recent public outings, he brandished himself as the people's choice and only candidate that can wrestle power from the incumbent, Gov Hope Uzodinma. He has suddenly failed to realise that same incumbent Gov Hope Uzodinma came from a distant fourth position to dislodge him from the seat of power. Ihedioha is the first governor in the history of the state to be sacked from office via a declaratory judgement by the apex Court of the land, posterity will not be fair to us if we sweep this notable information under the carpet.

Or has Ihedioha forgotten that the party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP belong to the masses and not his private business? He did not know there was a party law that allows for free contest to elective positions in the party.

 The nomadic politician is playing Pharisee conveniently and bravado of guilty. He is now the founder and owner of Imo PDP. Any way, it seems peace is an illusion now. 

Those he betrayed in the just concluded party primaries and the party, no pun intended, will cohabit with Ihedioha in a bed of thorns. 

The difference between men like Ihedioha and his labouring associates is that they want to sell his governorship ambition based on what the Rebuild Imo Project achieved while in office but are unaware of the financial misappropriation and fraud linked with the seven months short-lived administration of Ihedioha, I will treat that in my next episode.

In 2002, when Ihedioha expressed his interest to contest the Aboh Mbaise /Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency seat, he won the election on a platter of gold. There was no resistance from the Ngor Okpala political divide. 

Hon Greg Egu, Uncle Greg as we fondly call him was not a hindrance to his ambition, he enjoyed support from the people of Ngor Okpala LGA even though he betrayed the rotational arrangement between the two sister LGAs, Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise, yet he got unhindered support throughout his stay in the House of Representatives.

 Ihedioha's political height today is courtesy of Ngor Okpala magnanimity and support, he is indebted to the people from the area, either he likes it or not.

Ihedioha cut his litigator teeth at the 5th House (2003) in House of Representatives when he emerged as a committee chairman on Marine.

 During his second term, he served as chief Whip of the house. He emerged as deputy speaker during his third term and exited the House of Representatives in capacity as ' acting' speaker. It's truism he did well at the national assembly, give that to him. 

Coming back to the home front, Ihedioha was candidate of the party during the 2015 general election. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo state was defeated in the guber election by the then incumbent governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha as declared by INEC. 

The party through it's candidate, Emeka Ihedioha instituted a suit at the Election Petition Tribunal, of course, the party had a good case, but Ihedioha's carelessness and that of his legal team ruined the party's chances of reclaiming their victory.

 The tribunal struck out the suit instituted by Ihedioha on grounds that his counsel failed to pay Administrative Filing fee of N500 ( Five hundred naira, only). It is on record that  N500 ruined PDP's chances of occupying the seat of power at the Imo Douglas House in 2015.

Also, in 2019, Ihedioha manuevered his way, rigged his way in and emerged as the party's governorship candidate for the second time. This time around, he was unable to garner votes from the constitutionally required LGAs in the state. As a victim of circumstance and the resolve by Imolites against "Hegemony", who resisted Owelle Rochas Okorocha's third term by proxy Project resulting to INEC declaring Ihedioha as duly elected governor of Imo state in error as according to the verdict by the apex Court.  

No wonder, Hon Damian Ogu, Pioneer Chairman and member who represented Onuimo LGA during a recent call in radio program on Boss Radio FM, described Ihedioha as a man that has " Political Okro Hand". Come to think of it, what does Damian Okebaram Ogu meant by " Political Okro Hand", Okro is likened to anything that is slippery. 

Ihedioha had secured the party's Governorship tickets for two consecutive periods (2015 and 2019) and allowing it slip off his hands due to carelessness and vindictiveness proves that he is not destined to govern the state if we are to review his previous outings in governorship contest.

Ihedioha should embark on spiritual cleansing and allow Imolites choose a governor that would return the state to a peaceful and hospitable status it was known for. Imolites are not behind his political misfortunes in the past eight years. He was given a healthy platform to actualise his guber ambition. 

He shouldn't question God about his present political misfortune, afterall, his present status in the country was also have a link with destiny. He mustn't be Imo governor. 

Imolites won't continue to wait for one man to actualise his political ambition at the detriment of Imo governorship hopefuls.

Sunny Ndukwu, KSM is a Journalist, Public Affairs Analyst, based in Owerri

By Eustace Chibundu, Abuja.

Available records from the re-election team of Emeka Ihedioha has indicated that the sustenance of the face-off in the People's Democratic party remains the only possible route to Emeka's re-election.

This was made known by one of the Aides of Emeka Ihedioha at the home of Emma Nworgu the Ngor Okpala Apex leader of the party during an interactive section in Ngor Okpala.

In his speech, Bon Unachukwu who was conspicuously vexed at the growing popularity and acceptance of his Kins man Sen. Sam Daddy the National Secretary of the party declared to his listeners and hypnotized supporters that the only way to deliver on their re-election project is to sustain the campaign of calumny against Wike. He further buttressed that if Emeka Ihedioha must succeed, then everything possible must be done to link Sam Daddy with the insistence of Wike and his team on the resignation of the National Chairman Sen. Ayu.

Reasons adduced to this clandestine conspiracy against Wike and by extension Sam Daddy by these trauducers bothers on the fact that since Gov. Wike is aware that it was Emeka Ihedioha who led the onslaught against him when he convinced Tambuwal his boss to jettison his long time friendship with Wike to throw his support to Atiku and quit from the presidential contest.

It was their idea that Tambuwal will protect the political interest of Emeka in imo than Wike who he said may not care about him since there is a yet to be settled issue between him and Gov. Wike.

From the growing fears and concerns of the Ihedioha camp, if the working relationship which the National Secretary enjoys both with the National Chairman and the Presidential candidate is allowed to foster, it then spells doom for the re-election of Emeka Ihedioha hence the sustained fake press releases credited to Wike which the Emeka camp is behind.

Recall each time there is  a possibility of truce between Atiku and Wike, it makes the Ihedioha's camp jittery and the social media will be awash with fake articles targeted at both Wike and linking it to the National Secretary Sen. Sam Daddy.

The most recent is the purported declaration from the National Secretary pulling out of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign on the ground that Wike must be respected.

It is a public information that the National Secretary has been working round the clock to ensure the peace and victory of the PDP at all levels which the recent inauguration of his Divine Mandate Movement structure in imo state can attest to.

The executive leadership of our party like the NWC which Sam Daddy presides as the chief scribe cannot take side on any issue in the party but must and has always played the role of mediation ensuring every member of the party comes on same page unlike what is obtainable in imo SWC where members are already conscripted into a one man agenda.

Why none should worry over the constant attacks on the humane and peaceful personality of Sam Daddy is because his God given grace and endowed smartness is far ahead of the convocation and feasting of hIs detractors.

It is already ending in praise.