IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

By Jude Okeke

Following the Supreme Court verdict nullifying the election of Dr Jones Onyereri as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Imo West senatorial District, leaders and critical stakeholders of the party in Orlu Zone have vehemently declared Chief Emeka Ihedioha persona nongrata for masterminding the loss.

In a press conference weekend organized by leaders of the party in Orlu zone, the group frowned at Ihedioha’s brazen desperation to pull down every party leader in order to clinch their party’s Governorship ticket after his two unsuccessful outgoings, and warned him to stay clear of the zone.

Addressing newsmen, Amb Iwuoha Ofonagoro, Chief Damian Nzeribe and Dr (Mrs) Akwuiwu Josephine who spoke on behalf of others expressed anger that after Dr Onyereri’s victory at the Appeal Court, the other two candidates, Hon Jerry Alagboso and Dr ThankGod Ezeani decided to withdraw the suit, adding that immediately Ihedioha got the wand of the possible settlement summoned the duo and encouraged them to challenge the emergence of Dr Onyereri up to Supreme Court.

Amb Iwuoha Ofonagoro, Chief Damian Nzeribe and Dr (Mrs) Akwuiwu Josephine maintained that for denying Orlu people the chances of having a Senatorial Candidate in the 2023 election, Ihedioha has dug his political grave and as such should not consider stepping into the zone for campaign.

“What interest does Ihedioha, Irona, Ugwu and their co-conspirators have in Orlu zone to go this far? How would they prefer our party not to be on the ballot if they are not supporting either, Senator Ostia Izunaso of APC, or Chief Charles Ahize of Labour Party? How would our Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar garner 25% votes in Orlu zone when our party does not have a Senatorial Candidate for now? Until Ihedioha and his accomplices answer these questions, Orlu zone people will continue to declare them persona nongrata.” They submitted.

According to them, all their efforts, financial involvements, time and devotion to elect a man that can embrace every Orlu zone person has become wasted on the altar of selfishness, greed and malice, assuring Ihedioha of their people’s resolve to revenge in due cause.

Reacting further, Orlu zone PDP leaders and stakeholders called on party members across the state not to be excited with Emeka Ihedioha’s political ambition, saying that it would be an impossibility for any evil, wicked and vindictive person to grab or retain power in Imo state.

Meanwhile, all efforts to reach Ihedioha’s spokesman, Chibuike Onyeukwu for reaction proved abortive as at press time.

By Ik Ogbonna, fcai, anipr.

The people of Mbaise are a great people doing exploits around the world in all fields of human endeavors,  from sports, to education, entertainment, politics etc.

Mbaise is a region in Imo State made up of three local governments areas of Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte. It has towns, cities, clans and villages, call Mbaise a nation if you like and you wont be wrong. It is reputed to be the most densely populated area in Western Africa.

The name Mbaise (5 Clans) was derived  from its five (5) clans of Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihitte and Oke Uvuru. It is the land where Ahiara Declaration was made by Ikemba Nnewi, Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu. Ahiara Declaration containd the principles of the Bafran Revolution. Dim Ojukwu didnt just go anywhere, he went to Mbaise to make the declaration on the 1st of June, 1969.

Mbaise is the home of great men like Nna Anyi ID Nwoga, Mike Ahamba, SAN, Sen. Isdore Obasi, Dr. Sir Warrior, Prof. COE Onwuliri, etc. Mbaise is also home to the very popular Abigbo music that unifies the people culturally and otherwise. 

Sen. Anyanwu hails from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State but his grandmother, Ada Paulina Anyanwu (nee Ogoko) was married to his grandfather, Chief Paul Anyanwu (Anwu Anwu) and gave birth to late Chief Sebastine Anyanwu, father of Sen. Sam Anyanwu. Late Ada Paulina Anyanwu (nee Ogoko) is from the OGOKO DYNASTY of Umuezeala, Amano, Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA. Hon Gerry Ogoko, former Executive Chairman, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA is a cousin to Samdaddy. In his infancy, young Samuel was a regular in Obohia which is a walkable distance from Amaimo through the Uzaku Obohia bridge via Ugirike. His grandmother used to take him to the popular Eyiri-Eyi Cultural Festival that held every August before Iriji Mbaise. The Eyiri-Eyi festival attracted sons, daughters, relations, inlaws and well-wishers of the community who attended  with gifts and young Samuel has always been present as a darling of his maternal home.

MBAISE & THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME SAMDADDY

The name Samdaddy is also traceable to his Mbaise lineage. As a matter of fact, Samuel lost his grandfather shortly after his birth and in the Igbo cosmology and belief, they said he is a reincarnation of his grandfather and called him DADDY. In his maternal home in Obohia, he is still called "Daddy" till date.

Samuel on establishing his business empire (SAMDADDY INVESTMENTS including Samdaddy Farms) added Sam (short form of Samuel) to Daddy making SAMDADDY which is often called by friends, admirers and associates. In his own words, "In one's life, sometimes your pet name takes your real name, because we believe in reincarnation. I am a reincarnate of my grandfather according to what I was told by my father, and they called me Daddy. So when I wanted a name that was unique, that nobody else would answer I went and slept and that name was given to me. That was how I came up with Samdaddy and today it has taken over my name" The Life of Samdaddy In My Eyes by Paulcy Iwuala.

Not many people know that distinguished Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has untainted Mbaise blood in his veins unlike some others whose Mbaise origin is not rooted in Mbaise land but outside it.

The recent spate of endorsement of the aspiration of Sen. Anyanwu to be the next governor of Imo State from the leaders, youths and critical stakeholders of Mbaise seems to say that, Ndi Mbaise would not reject their own juxtapositioning the overwhelming rejection of the third term mission of Ihedioha,  Mbaise people now have another option of a "nwa nwa" who they are now embracing whole heartedly especially having enjoyed his representation as Senator of Owerri Zone with distinction from 2015-2019.

Ik Ogbonna, a PR Practitioner and Media Consultant, writes from Owerri.

By:  Ik Ogbonna, fcai, anipr

One of the best things that have happened to Orlu zone is Senator Osita Izunaso. This is because of his numerous contributions to the development of the zone since he joined politics. Honestly, Senator Osita Izunaso has judiciously used his various positions of authority to touch the lives of his people positively. Osita Izunaso has held many positions of authority which he utilized for the service of his people. 

Senator Osita Izunaso towers above all his challengers for the Orlu Senatorial seat, having been a member of the House of Representatives and a Senator. Also, Senator Izunaso had held the position of National Organizing Secretary of APC. He has acquired enormous experience in the service of the people. His numerous contributions to the development of Orlu is unparalleled. Little wonder the president and commander of the armed forces, Muhammadu Buhari found him worthy to be honoured with the prestigious award of Officer of Federal Republic (OFR). Senator Osita Izunaso is a national player cum towering colossus when compared with his fellow contestants. Osita Izunaso is a ranking lawmaker who stands a great chance of becoming the next senate president unlike his challengers who are just coming to learn the process of lawmaking. Electing political neophytes are lawmakers are always detrimental to the future of the people. That’s why the people of Orlu zone have no better option than Senator Osita Izunaso because of great hope his election represents for Orlu zone.

It is not in doubt that the position of the Senate President would go to South East if the ruling APC wins the Presidential election. Even if the ruling party loses, a man of character with the requisite credentials and legislative ranking would be needed to drive the interest of the party in South East. Such a choice cannot be far from Senator Osita Izunaso. 

The next senator of Orlu Zone has got a Herculean task as he will be replacing a man who knows nothing about lawmaking. So, such a mountainous task requires a man with the ranking and sound legislative experience like Senator Osita Izunaso. Among all those who have presented themselves for Orlu Senate seat, only Senator Osita Izunaso appears fit for the job. He is not coming to learn on the job but coming to hit the ground running with his sound legislative experience. He has the cognate experience required to represent the good people of Orlu zone in the Senate. He is not a political hustler or neophyte like his co-contestants who will waste four years, learning the art of legislation. If Orlu zone makes the mistake of electing any of these job men as Senator, four years will be wasted because they lack the knowledge of the political intrigues which Senator Izunaso has in his kitty. With an experienced legislator like Senator Osita Izunaso on the saddle, no national cake will elude Orlu zone because he won’t be a baby Senator neither will he sleep on duty like others. 

Senator Izunaso towers far above his challengers due to his intimidating credentials, connections and legislative experience. All his challengers lack these qualities which are needed for the development of Orlu zone. The decision is now for Orlu people to make by choosing experience over inexperience for sound legislation and oversights that will lead to massive development of Orlu zone. Experience counts! The chances of producing a principal officer of the senate is very bright only with Senator Izunaso. Non of the challengers of Senator Izunaso is qualified for election as a principal officer in the Senate. Orlu zone doesn’t need a Senator who will be taking tutorials in Abuja before they understand the business of the Senate. Orlu zone has suffered so much in the last four years due to inexperience and so should not make the mistake of electing greenhorns to represent them in the red chamber of the National Assembly. With what Senator Osita Izunaso represents as a ranking lawmaker, Orlu zone can’t afford to miss the golden opportunity of tapping from his wealth of legislative experience and huge connections for the massive development of the zone. A vote for Senator Osita Izunaso of APC is a vote for the correction of the poor representation of the zone in the senate; it’s a vote for uncommon development of Orlu through experienced legislation. May Orlu zone never miss this golden opportunity.

Experience and Ranking Counts.

Ik Ogbonna is a Media and PR Consultant based in Owerri

.... Say, party as opposition, long overdue to return to seat of power

Member representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Rep Bede Eke has advised the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State chapter to consider fielding a new face as its candidate for the Governorship election come November 2023, saying it is time for the opposition political party to return to the Imo Douglas House.

Eke made this assertion while speaking during a meeting with Ward Chairmen from the Imo East Senatorial District on Tuesday at the instance of the National Secretary of PDP, Sen Samuel Anyanwu, Samdaddy.

Continuing, Eke said " I align myself to the statement credited to the Imo PDP Chairman, Engr Charles Ugwu at the party's National Headquarters, Abuja recently during a stakeholders meeting convened at the instance of the NWC chairman, Sen Iyorcha Ayu strictly for Imo PDP leaders where Ugwu described Hon Emeka Ihedioha as the face of Imo PDP. 

"Yes, I agree that Ihedioha is the face of Imo PDP in the past eight years and that is why the party has remained in opposition. Ihedioha emerged as governorship candidate for the party consecutively in 2015 and 2019, yet, the party has been unable to occupy the seat of power in the state. 

Recall in 2015, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC won Ihedioha of the PDP. 

"Also, in 2019, same Ihedioha who was declared as governor in error according to ruling of  the apex Court on grounds that he did not meet the required votes to be declared elected was displaced by Sen Hope Uzodinma who came from a distant fourth position to clinch the Governorship seat. This same face of Imo PDP for two consecutive periods had contested for governor under the platform of PDP and have being unable to garner popular votes across the three geopolitical zones in the state, hence the need for a fresh option.

"Imo PDP as an opposition party in the state is long overdue to return to Douglas House come 2023 and for us to achieve this, we must take this courageous move by fielding a new face as the standard bearer for the party in next year's guber election.

"We need to repackage our party, PDP ahead of the November 2023 election by changing the face of our Governorship candidate and this should be our best option to return to Douglas House, Eke said. 

Continuing, he disclosed "We are Stakeholders in the party. It's an abberation and anti democratic for one man to sit at his comfort zone and issue directives to our Ward Chairmen not to attend meetings on invitation by the National Secretary of the party. The party is for all of us and not a private enterprise of an individual. I must commend our Ward Chairmen for damning the consequences by attending this meeting not minding the threat calls by some leaders. You are our generals at the grassroots and I want to assure you that nobody can remove you as Chairmen of your wards, he said.

Contributing her voice, the former National Woman Leader of the party, Amb Kema Chikwe thanked the Ward Chairmen for coming out in their numbers. She appealed to them to ensure victory for all candidates of the party in the general election coming up next year. The ex Aviation Minister disclosed that she is supporting Sen Samuel Anyanwu, Samdaddy's Governorship aspiration for several reasons and pledged her unalloyed support. The meeting which held at the Egbu residence of Chief Tony Ihenacho had in attendance top chieftains of the party as well as former members of the Imo state House of Assembly, leaders of the Party's Elders Committee led by Sir Ambrose Ejiogu, leadership of the Divine Mandate Movement, a political structure of the National Secretary of PDP led by Evang Myke Ikoku amongst others.

Born to the family of  Pa Onyegbule of Okwu village in Umuowa Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, Chief Kingsley Uchenna Onyegbule popularly known as Akuiriri was cut out for greatness early in life. 

He has very rich credentials as a core Businessman and investor with the right exposures and an excellent blend of education, essential leadership qualities and high personal standards of self-discipline and love, obviously inspired by his very humble beginning.

He runs a conglomerate of industries Viz: - 

- Choice Company limited

- Kingseoul Construction Company Limited

- Kingseoul Waste Recycling Plant

- Lessang Interiors Limited

- Kingseoul Paper Mills.

These prime investments employ not less than 3,000 people and this sets him out as the second highest employer of labour in the State after the Government.

His passion for service and concern for the welfare of others originated from a decent and humble home training. He is simple, humane, brilliant, courageous and daring goal-getter who does not believe in failure. His prime exposure in International Business negotiations and Leadership successes has adequately prepared him to compete effectively in any position that demands strong negotiation and teamwork such as he is now aspiring to.

An unassuming philanthropist, he established Kingseoul Foundation, a Non-profit Organization with the major aim of empowering youths, widows, widowers and the underprivileged. He strongly believes in Education as an effective instrument for alleviating poverty and restiveness among the Youths. This is the guiding philosophy of the Kingseoul Foundation’s Scholarship Scheme.

Kingseoul Foundation has trained hundreds of youths on life-saving vocations, empowered and established them. It has identified, trained and sponsored young football talents who now play in professional teams overseas.

He is the PDP candidate for Orlu/Orsu /Oru-East Federal Constituency seat.

By Chibuzor Iwuoha, Owerri

Imo State University Alumni Association (IMSUAA) will be inaugurating its 7th Executive to pilot the affairs of the organization.

In a release signed by the Chairman, Media/Publicity Sub-Committee, Ikenna Onuoha and made available to newsmen in Owerri, the occasion will take place on Tuesday, December 27th 2022 at Krystal Penthouse Hotel, behind Concorde Hotel, Owerri by 2pm.

The release maintains that the new Executive to be inaugurated will be led by Chief Barr Okey Ozumba, for a second term who currently is the President of the outgoing Executive.

The statement also reveals that a known critical writer and Sociologist, IK Ogbonna will be heading the National Secretariat for a second time.

According to the statement, activities have been lined up to herald the inauguration including lecture series.

The statement therefore invites members of Board of Trustees, all Imo Stars, friends, well-wishers and former NEC members to be in attendance.

Meanwhile, all preparations have been concluded ahead of the inauguration, hence an ongoing effective media presence.