IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

By Chikaodi Ago

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Mbaitoli Local government Area of Imo state have warned Chief Emeka Ihedioha and supporters to desist from fueling crisis in the party, saying that their efforts to divide PDP in Mbaitoli LGA remain an exercise in futility.

The position of Mbaitoli PDP leaders was at the heels of a trending mischievously editted speech of an Mbaitoli son captured in video, Prof CONA Anosike by Ihedioha’s Media Aide, Ebube Mbah to cast aspersions against leaders and members of the party in the LGA.

According to Chief Odunna Uzoma, who spoke on behalf of others described Ihedioha’s behavior as not only deliberate act to embarrass PDP, but an indication of his excessive desperation to create good image for himself at the detriment of the party.

Chief Odunna stressed that since Ihedioha’s Image was battered as a result of his treacherous outing in Ghana, during which he described any Igbo person that won’t vote for Atiku Abubakar as saboteur, Ihedioha is looking for any available means to insult other party leaders as part of his move to answer a “good boy”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, members of our party, stakeholders and non members of our party who are leaders in Mbaitoli LGA had gathered to brainstorm on the way forward in view of the 2023 elections. Every interested leader who wanted to speak was given the opportunity to talk; but when it got to Prof Cona Anosike, a known media brand expert, he introduced himself as a media brand consultant to Mr Peter Obi, a position he is entitled to. But it therefore becomes petty, childish and misleading for Ihedioha’s aide to go extra mile to edit the video against his original message, all in a bid to embarrass our party and its leaders. As PDP Leaders in Mbaitoli LGA, we are yet to know or ascertain the reason behind Ihedioha’s motive for editing the video speech”.

Chief Odunna further asserted that the event which attracted the National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu was judiciously used by Chief Scribe as an opportunity to present candidates of PDP from House of Assembly to President, urging them to do everything possible to deliver them in the 2023 polls.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday charged the Inspector General of Police to sustain a leadership standard that will guarantee a level playing field, and secure public space for the citizens to freely exercise their franchise for the outcome of the 2023 elections to be a true reflection of the people's choices.

He made a charge at the opening ceremony of the conference and retreat for senior police officers, in Owerri, Imo State capital.

Buhari said elections are local, and it is only when the votes really count that the faith of the citizens in the democratic process can be demonstrated and government legitimacy assured.

According to him, "This can best be guaranteed through a well-policed election and security operations that is impartial, firm, and professional. This is what, on this day and this occasion, I charge the Nigeria Police Force to deliver to the nation during the 2023 General Elections.

"I, therefore, task the Inspector General of Police to sustain his leadership standards that will guarantee a level playing field and secure public space for the citizens to freely exercise their franchise and for the outcome of the elections to be a true reflection of the people's choices. I offer my full assurance of support and encouragement in this process.

"I am fully aware of all steps being taken by the Inspector General of Police to adequately prepare personnel of the Force for the General Elections including the recently concluded geo-political election security management workshop as well as the ongoing Operational Plans ahead of the exercise.

"I expect that the Force will maximize the opportunity of this Conference and Retreat to achieve two critical goals. First, to review the current and evolving internal security threats as they may impact a peaceful and successful election. Second, to perfect operational plans that will guarantee a credible outcome in the 2023 General Elections.

At the conference, Buhari said the retreat will enable us to discuss issues relating to the role and capacity of the Nigeria Police, being the lead agency in the electoral and internal security process, towards ensuring a peaceful, secure, free, fair, and credible 2023 General Elections.

Buhari further said the event will also provide a unique opportunity to brainstorm on pathways to guaranteeing a stable internal security space in the countdown to the electoral transition exercise.

- as party chieftains, candidates grumble over imposition as official restaurant of the party

- " candidates of the party must patronize the restaurant or risk sanction" 

- Obideint members advised to keep off Hungry-Man Restaurant

By Promise Omole

The ever busy popular restaurant owned by the Imo PDP state chapter chairman, Engr Charles Ugwu, Hungry-Man Restaurant have been deserted by customers who patronize the eateries over irregular meetings cum campaigns held on daily basis inside the restaurant.

Our correspondent gathered that the restaurant in past five months had suddenly turned to Imo state PDP annex as sensitive administrative duties are now carried out in reserved sections of the restaurant located at No. 2 Musa Yar'dua Way, New Owerri.

It was also learnt that the brand new Jeep acquired by the party for the chairman is seen parked in front of the Hungry Man restaurant daily confirming the fact that the Chairman does most of his administrative duties at the eateries.

Investigation carried out by our correspondent revealed that the Chairman in connivance with some egg heads of the Imo PDP state working committee unilaterally approved Hungry-Man restaurant as the official restaurant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state and mandated chieftains of the party particularly the candidates of the party for the 2023 general election to hold their political meetings in the restaurant.

According to a party chieftain who pleaded on condition of anonymity told our reporter that the directive by the state working committee to candidates of the party to always patronize Hungry-Man did not go down well with them following the high cost of items in the restaurant.

Continuing, the source revealed that candidates who flout such directives from the state working committee risks sanctions as the party's Campaign Council will not visit their LGAs during their Campaign tour.

It was also learnt that most of the donations realised from the party's fund raising are distributed at the restaurant.

 Furthermore, customers and members of opposition political parties particularly

'Obidients'  supporters in Owerri had since the conversion of Hungry-Man restaurant to Imo state PDP's Campaign office deserted the eateries for fear of their lives as they maybe targeted for poisoning by the PDP candidates if they keep patronising the restaurant. 

Meanwhile, our roving reporter while speaking to one of the waiter's at the restaurant, she said that all those people shouting Obidient in the state should not come close to Hungry-Man restaurant and if they insist they will be mercilessly dealt with.

Also, some friendly customers now avoid the restaurant for fear of mob action since the environment is always tensed up occasioned by regular outburst from sharing of largesse from political party meetings.

©️ Insight News

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has rejected a plan by the Central Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to redesign naira, warning the apex bank of its consequences on the country’s troubled economy.

Ahmed expressed her opposition to the policy in response to a question raised by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele during the 2023 budget defence session she had with the Senate Committee on Finance.

The Minister warned CBN of the consequences that may arise from the exercise.

Senator Bamidele had in his question, told the Finance Minister that barely two days after announcement of the policy by CBN , repercussions of it on the value of naira to US dollar was being felt.

Recall that the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele had Wednesday dropped the hint, revealing that the incoming exercise would redesign the Nigerian currency, starting from N200 denomination to N1,000 notes.

By Ikenna ONUOHA, Mnipr

Few leaders are born, some learnt leadership while others accepted leadership; but in all, a good leader is always charismatic, cool headed, calm, non temperamental and passionate about his environment and the people around him.

Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, 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 the lives of the people started when this young Amaimo Ikeduru born political scientist, strategist and maverick was elected 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 of representing 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, as fondly called 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 menger.

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 a 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 the killer of Lion?”, Senator Samdaddy is ever 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 future for the less privileged, the down trodden and the entire society. The time to get started is to begin to support Senator Samdaddy.

By so doing, we shall be expecting Imo of our collective dreams!

By ENGR COLLINS ONYEWUCHI

The Frontline Candidate for Owerri Zone call for end to political rascality.

Odiuko has reacted to the recent demolition of Hon.Chinonso Uba *NONSO NKWA*) campaign billboards across the state by yet to be identified miscreants suspected to be working for State government lead by APC

In a statement made available to the press, the frontline politician and astute legal practitioner assured that the malicious destruction of Nonso nkwa campaign billboards will not deter him, however he feels disappointed that state government and those working for them will descend so low to attack ordinary campaign materials instead of addressing critical issues of development which is the main purpose of running for office. In a rather determined voice, he called for caution while saying that such acts of sabotage must be discontinued to allow for a campaign that is based on ideas, beyond mere political rascality.

In his words, “we have observed with dismay the wanton destruction of billboards belonging to ADC Candidate for Mbaike Federal Constituency. I hope the people committing this act are aware that this contest is not between them and the billboards but between them and credible candidates, a contest based on legacy and character, a contest based on truth and ideology. I am confident that with or without the billboards the people of Owerri Zone will vote for most competent candidate, but this act of sabotage should stop in the interest of peace.

The statement further noted that for the opposition to resort to vandalism and acts of brigandage shows that the opposition are feeling threatened by the popularity and are deeply afraid because they will lose the election come 2023 with credible candidates, therefore they have sort compensation in act of mundane violence. Odiuko calls on the security agencies and local vigilantes to be on the watch out and apprehend the perpetrators before they progress to more aggressive acts of sabotage as it is the trademark of losers, especially the opposition.