IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Millions of Muslim faithful in Nigeria on Wednesday joined hundreds of millions more across the globe in celebration of Eid-el-Kabir. The annual festival, also referred to as Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca by countless devotees from around the world.

It is usually celebrated with prayers offered on the Eid ground, followed by the slaughter of goats, sheep and cattle in commemoration of the Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.

Following his return to Nigeria from London on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to join fellow Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.

According to a statement by the President, Eid-el-Kabir comes as the end of religious activities spanning the first 10 days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah, enjoining Muslims to show mercy and compassion to fellow humans.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (BAT) is one of Nigeria’s most visionary, astute and strategic politicians. A man who dream dreams and works painstakingly to realize them. A man who garners men of intellect around him to assist him achieve his goal.

Born (officially) on the 29th of March, 1952, after an illustrious career in the private sector that saw him working for top blue chip firms including, Arthur Anderson, Deloitte and GTE and then Mobil Oil Producing as an Accountant. He joined partisan politics and was elected a Senator in 1992 under the Social Democratic Party, SDP. 

In 1983, MKO Abiola (the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential election) had his "victory” cut short by the military junta led by late Gen. Sani Abacha, forcing Tinubu and others to flee Nigeria in 1994 to form and fund NADECO (National Democratic Coalition), a pro-democracy group that fought against the military for the restoration of democracy.  The fast thinking Tinubu immediately the transition was announced by Gen. Abubakar, returned home in 1998 with the impending exit of the military unlike most other activists and seeking to be and was elected as a two term Governor of Lagos State. As Governor of Lagos state under the Alliance for Democracy, AD, Tinubu survived the guile and trickery of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo who sought an alliance with the South West. While PDP made a clean sweep of the zone, Tinubu alone stood tall. Also, despite his struggle with the Obasanjo led Federal Government, Tinubu performed wonderfully well and changed the face of Lagos State with landmark achievements in all sectors of the state.

In 2006, Tinubu’s quest to be President resonated and commenced in earnest. He dangled the Presidential ticket of AD before Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the then Vice President of Nigeria with a plan to be his running mate. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar accepted the offer but chose Senator Ben Obi as his running mate but, regrettably, he lost to the PDP. 

In 2009, BAT returned to his political chess board planning a Mega Party to challenge PDP. In February 2013, Tinubu was top on the list of several prominent politicians who formed a "mega opposition" party with the coalition of Nigeria's three biggest opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the new PDP (nPDP), a faction of the then-ruling People's Democratic Party into the All Progressives Congress. He again dangled the ticket of the new party this time to General  Mohammadu Buhari (Rtd) to also be his running mate but this dream was aborted when the fear of a Muslim-Muslim ticket made PMB pick Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, a protégé of BAT. They both won the 2015 presidential election . Again in 2019, BAT supported PMB and his deputy to get re-elected and patiently bid his time. He threw his support 100 percent behind the PMB led government in spite of provocations from several quarters, BAT remained focused.

In June 2023 at Abeokuta, while addressing his people from the South West after declaring his interest in presidential election, BAT spoke in his native tongue declaring it is "his turn” (emi lokan) to be President. That declaration drew mixed reactions of support and condemnation but it was the audacity of a dreamer and his dream. A focused man and his life long ambition. Of a politician and his quest for public office. Of a strategist and his strategy. Of a player with his eyes focused on the ball. For a very long time, Nigeria has be led by reluctant leaders. President Shagari wanted to be a Senator, Jonathan was happy as governor, Obasanjo asked how many presidents they wanted to make of him. Buhari was satisfied tending to his cows. Those who really aspired never got it. Late MKO Abiola, late sage, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, late Pa Awolowo etc. 

Today, the 29th day of May, 2023, the dreamer President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has realized his life long ambition. He is worthy of being studied and emulated. It is the stuff that focused and ambitious men are made of.  

As President of our dear nation, we are obliged to pray and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  even while his victory is under judicial scrutiny. We must allow the judiciary do their job. Nigeria must prevail.

Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I doff my hat for you and the audacity of your dream. 

Long live Mr President  

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Ik Ogbonna, fcai, anipr is an Owerri-based journalist and PR/Media Consultant

ikogbonna@gmail.com. +2348037203559

IMO has found their servant ruler as Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh declare to put smile to Ndi-Imo as Guber candidate of NNPP.

The party Chairman officially handed over the party flag today at the Party Secretariat in Owerri the imo state capital.

Hon. Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh was  today officially announced as the governorship candidate of NNPP, he expressed joy and happiness with optimisim to change Imo state for better state come 11th Nov, 2023.

Today 22nd of May, 2023, the National Executives of the and State Executives of NNPP including INEC observed the Substitution exercise as Hon. Uche Odunzeh emerged the governorship candidate come 11th November governorship election of Imo state.

In his speech,  the NNPP candidate, Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh promised to eradicate poverty with the provisions of making jobs available to the young graduates including skills and professional programs for our youths, he assured Imolites of better days ahead as insecurity shall be his priority in One hundred days in office if elected, he further told Ndi-Imo, that the problem of Imo state is leadership problem and egocentric problem, therefore with NNPP as an umbrella and solution is here, with my economic experiences, Imo must smile again, in terms of SECURITY, CONDUCIVE ALMOSTPHERE where investors will troop into Imo state for industrialization and commercialisation.

Hon. Chief Ben Odunzeh promised to industrialize each local government areas like Late Barr. Samuel Mbakwe, he promised to bring the government closer to the people, he explained reasons behind the bottleneck and assured Imo state solutions to the bewildered condition now. In furtherance to that he call on Ndi Imo to vote NNPP and enjoy forever.

Isiala Mbano Youth Assembly endorse Imo Governor For Second Tenure in 2023.

Rising from a general meeting held at Nkwo Mbaa, on 25 April, 2023, where the Isiala Mbano Youth Assembly endorsed the people's Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to go back and complete the good work he has started in Imo State because of Hon. Ruby Emele who has taken it upon herself to carter and accommodate the youths of the area irrespective of political party affiliation and family background.

 The youths made the following statements:

1. We have come together under one strong and united umbrella to be the voice of the people of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

2. We want to reassure the Amazon of our time and the performing Honorable commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs in the state that we have adopted the Governor Hope Uzodimma as our sole candidate in the 2023 Governorship election in Imo State to continue the good work.

3.We have seen that Governor Hope Uzodimma is the most qualified to govern the state again considering his overwhelming performance in his first tenure.

4. We want our people to know that the Governor is the best amongst all the candidates jostling to govern the state in 2023..

5. We want our people to understand that any other person aside the Governor will be a green horn who will need time to understand the job.

6.We have taken notice of the superlative performance of the Governor in the whole of the three senatorial zones in the state especially the reconstruction of the federal roads in Owerri/Orlu road, Owerri/Okigwe road and that of the Owerri/Mbaise/Umuahia roads respectively.

7. The Imo Governor should be accorded the necessary respect he deserves for taking the bull by the horns to stop insecurity in Imo State. 

9.It is on record that Hon. Ruby Emele has worked tirelessly with the true leaders of the party in moving APC party forward in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

10. We know that the Governor has shown his undying love and passion to Imolites, hence we shall give him our full support to build the Imo of our collective dreams.

10.We will resist youths that may wish to cause trouble in Isiala-mbano Local Government area of Imo State in the name of opposition during the general elections.

11. In view of the above, we reaffirm our full support to our highly respected leader, Governor, Hope Uzodimma and we back him for another tenure in 2023 and the Youths have put this call to practice by coming together in the interest of the people of Isiala Mbano Local Government.

13.We enjoin the entire people of Isiala Mbano comprised of indigenes and non indigenes to take note and join hands to work towards actualizing our resolutions. 

Signed:

Comrade Chukwudi Onukwuire- Osuama-Anara ward

Comrade Chima Ekejiuba - Osuowerre ward 1qq

Comrade Akachukwu Iwuagwu- Osuowerre ward 2

Comrade Chibueze Diala -Osuachara ward

Comrade Iyke Nduka-Ugiri Oka ward

Comrade Emma Uchendu - Ogbor ward

Comrade Kelechi Chukwuma- Ibeme ward

Comrade Nnamdi Njoku -Obollo ward

Comrade lKechukwu Nwaneri - Umuozu ward

Comrade Muna Odor - Amaraku ward

Comrade Onyekachi Ndukuba- Umunkwo ward

Comrade Chukwuka Ike- Amauzari ward.

... Urges him to Make Peace with His Constituents as he Retires Politically, Describes Anyanwu’s Guber Victory As Divine

A Public Affairs Analyst, Sir Sunny Ndukwu 

has taken a swipe at the member, representing Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency, Hon Jerry Alagbaso over his uncomplimentary remarks against the Governorship Candidate of PDP in the state, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, advising him to come back home and make peace with his constituents whom he abandoned for almost twelve years after enjoying their mandate to the National Assembly.

Ndukwu, who is the Director, Media and Publicity of Divine Mandate Movement, an immediate Political structure championing the Governorship aspiration of Sen Samuel Anyanwu, asked Hon Alagbaoso to cover his face in shame for disappointing his constituents.

While reacting to a Newspaper publication interview credited to the federal lawmaker where he purported to have described the emergence of Senator Anyanwu as Governorship Candidate of Imo PDP as a "High Sounding Nothing".

Ndukwu wondered how a man who deceived his people to secure a third term mandate could turn around to criticize the platform that gave him relevance in life after he was allegedly embarrassed from Customs, and advised him to focus on ensuring reconciliation with his constituents before he retires Politically by June 2023. 

“Alagbaoso is looking for a platform to perch to remain relevant. As a man on the verge of political voyage, he thinks that the easiest way to secure such undue platform is to criticize and insult Senator Anyanwu, a man that has traversed through the hardest terrain of Nigerian politics without any bruise”

Continuing, Ndukwu said, Alagbaso has lost political relevance after his failed attempt to clinch the party's Senatorial ticket for Imo West Senatorial district having come a distance third in the primaries, a development that has been adjudged as a protest vote from his constituents for his non performance for 12 years at the National Assembly.

"He under-performed as a lawmaker since he was unable to alleviate his people from hardship as well as engage his constituents in meaningful programs since 12 years in the green chamber.”

"It is worrisome to read on pages of Newspapers, such careless and mischievous remarks credited to a man who is expected to stand with Imolites at this critical time and reciprocate the party under whose back he rode into affluence. The public is aware that Alagbaoso has never stood up in the green chambers to condemn the unnecessary, wicked and callous killings of his constituents and the detestation of the constituency he claims to represent”

"A man who was elected as a federal lawmaker for three terms to represent his constituency in the National Assembly, has failed to courageously come public to speak against the genocide and killings of innocent Imolites particularly, as it affects his immediate constituency. It is shameful that the only thing he can say is to speak ill against a courageous man like Sen Samuel Anyanwu who has helped him in life to stand strong politically. The only message I have for him is that, Senator Anyanwu’s mandidate is purely divine. No wonder he is out to restore peace back to the state and thereafter, exposes high level of conspiracy against Imo people.”

"The likes of Alagbaso should hide their faces in shame, Imo people are taking stock of Politicians who are accomplices to the insecurity ravaging the state and will make a bold statement in no distance time.

"For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically state that Senator Samuel Anyanwu's victory in the November 11, 2023 election has come to stay. It is high time Alagbaoso put to stop his derogatory comments against PDP and its Governorship candidate in a bid to impress Uzodinma to be able to accept him”

"A man who was scheming to be running mate to one of the Governorship aspirants in the state and woke up one morning to hear the news of the withdrawal of his choice governorship candidate is not expected to speak good about a man like Senator Anyanwu whose emergence has put to rest his ambition to be a Deputy Governor of Imo State. 

What do you also expect from same man to be awash with another heartbreaking news that the same man who defeated him in the Imo West PDP Senatorial Primaries, Rt Hon Jones Onyereri, PhD was recently unveiled as the running mate to Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Alagbaso had since joined the ruling APC after the withdrawal of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha from the Imo PDP Governorship contest. He is in alliance with the incumbent governor, Sen Hope Uzodinma and he is supporting his re-election bid.  

To the best of my knowledge, Alagbaso has been retired politically in Orlu zone, the minute he appreciates it, better for him, Ndukwu added.q

- Outgoing Lawmaker lacks Electoral value - Analyst

A Political associate and ally of the incumbent House of Representatives member representing Aboh Mbaise Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Sir Sunny Ndukwu has taken Rt Hon Bede Eke to the cleaners over his planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. 

Fielding questions from news men on Sunday shortly after a stakeholders meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ngor Okpala LGA, Ndukwu, a Public Affairs Analyst described Bede Eke as a public Office holder who has failed Integrity Test. 

"There is nothing wrong in joining any Political party of your choice in as much as you believe in the ideology of the party and you think that you can leverage on their platform to advance your aspiration. Bede Eke is a young man I came in contact with in 2016 as my federal lawmaker. 

"I handle most of his media jobs and I can give account of his strength and weaknesses as his media consultant. Some of us who had opportunity to work with him stepped on toes in our bid to project him to lime light politically and I can state categorically that Bede Eke based on his conduct ever since he lost his re-election bid to the House of Representatives developed a strange attitude which many of us are yet to understand his present lifestyle. Bede Eke lost the Aboh Mbaise-Ngor Okpala Reps ticket to Engr Albert Chibuzor Agulanna and I dare to say he was in position to retain the ticket but he was uncoordinated which led to his defeat. Accusing anyone of working against his return to the green chamber is nothing but making mockery of himself, he had all it takes to retain the party's ticket.

"In my estimation, I see the present day Bede Eke as a man who is battling with his conscience and require urgent assistance. He is indeed a jinx breaker but with the way he is going, he might end up relegating himself politically before the end of the second quarter of this year.

"I met Bede Eke in Divine Mandate Movement, a political structure championing governorship aspiration of Sen Samuel Anyanwu, both of us were members of the Campaign Council, and I can vividly tell you that Bede Eke had no genuine reason of leaving the campaign council not to talk of defecting to the ruling APC. I have been inundated with calls from media executives in the state as well as correspondents of National dailies to confirm news of his defection to APC and all i keep telling those who cares to know is that my outgoing federal lawmaker lacks integrity. 

"You can not accuse Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha for all you care, speak negatively against the incumbent governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodinma and less than six months, you go back to your vomit, it means you lack character and should not be taken serious. I will not prempt reasons why he is defecting but will patiently await his speech after defection then we take it from there, Ndukwu noted.

Meanwhile, Rt Hon Bede Eke will be received alongside some defectors on Monday by Gov Hope Uzodinma at the Ndubuisi Kanu Hall, it was learnt that the reception was scheduled for Saturday, 22nd April in Ngor Okpala LGA but was rescheduled to take place in Monday, 24th April.