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Igbo leaders in Lagos APC said on Wednesday that voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in the upcoming presidential elections would hasten the chances of the Igbo, clinching the presidency in the near future.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the group, led by the Lagos APC Spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, made the declaration at an interactive session with political correspondents in Lagos.

Mr Igbokwe said there was need for Igbos not to allow the sentiments of a vice-presidential slot to becloud their sense of reasoning over an anticipated Igbo presidency in 2023.

“We should support PMB, instead of Atiku and there is need for the Igbos to key in so as not to lose out in the scheme for power.

“Politics is a game of numbers. Igbos must demonstrate commitment through their support and key in with a political party that would guarantee the realisation of their aspirations.”

According to Igbokwe, there is need for Igbos to strategise to win the trust and friendship of other geo-political zones, to guarantee their support for an Igbo president in 2023.

“The president has even said so that he will support an Igbo presidency in 2023. It is wise that we also support him in 2019.’’

The APC chieftain argued that the Buhari administration had achieved so much in infrastructure development in the South East and had broken grounds that should guarantee his return.

“Apart from being members of the APC, as Nigerians we believe that the president has integrity; is hardworking, intelligent, dependable and is also not corrupt. But sentiments will not allow some people to see it,” Mr Igbokwe added.

On issues of endorsement of candidates in Lagos, the spokesman urged politicians to be wary of fake Igbo groups in Lagos.

“We have noticed that all manner of people gather themselves every election year to extort money from the state, promising to deliver Igbo votes to our party in Lagos.

“Over the years, we have noticed that these political entrepreneurs whose aim is to make money and nothing more continue to swindle leaders every election year.

“It is our wish, therefore, that all matters pertaining to Ndigbo in APC Lagos will be routed through this body that is set up to provide synergy that will galvanise our people into action.

“This will lead to more votes for the APC in Lagos State, given the Igbo numerical strength in the state.”

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari, Abuja has consolidated two suits filed by Mr. Uche Nwosu and Senator Hope Uzodinma in the dispute arising from the Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election primary.

It declined to substitute Nwosu’s name as pleaded by Uzodinma. Nwosu won the primary conducted by APC-approved panel while Uzodinma was proclaimed winner of the primary conducted by a faction.

Justice Othman Musa adjourned to October 23 for the APC and INEC to show cause why the reliefs sought by Uzodinma in a motion ex-parte, which the court heard on October 9, but declined to grant, should not be granted.

The reliefs include an order directing the APC to forward his name (Uzodimma) to INEC as the party’s governorship candidate for Imo State, and an order restraining INEC from continuing to process or publish any other person’s name, except the name of Uzodimma, as Imo State governorship candidate of the APC in the 2019 election.

The judge also directed that parties in the suit should amend their documents to reflect the names of those make parties yesterday. He also directed that all necessary documents should be filed before the next date.

In his suit, Nwosu sought to compel APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept him as the party’s governorship candidate while Uzodinma is seeking a similar request in his suit.

The consolidation, Nwosu’s lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) said, was directed by the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, upon the request by his (Ogunwumiju’s) client to avoid conflicting judgments, because the cases are on the same issue. Ogunwumiju said his client;s case was earlier before Justice Valentine Ashi before Justice Bello’s directive.

Justice Musa, after consolidating both suits, also granted Nwosu’s application to be made a party in the suit by Uzodinma. Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) argued the application for Nwosu, which wwas not opposed by Uzodinma’s lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN).

Justice Musa also granted another application filed by Okere Uzochukwu and Alozie Okechukwu (for themselves and on behalf of APC members, who voted for Owerri zone candidates at the APC’s governorship election conducted by the Alhaji Ahmed Gulak-led panel).

Lawyer to Uzochukwu and Okechukwu, Mr. Okere Nnamdi, while arguing the application, said his clients were necessary parties to the case because its outcome would affect them.

He said his client’s grouse was that APC’s decision to select its governorship candidate from the same Orlu zone, where Governor Okorocha comes from, violates the constitutional provisions of section 14(4) and 224, which direct that political parties must conduct their affairs to reflect equity and fairness among all.

The judge however rejected the application by and Chitex Ventures limited and Chima Akuzie, whose lawyer, Oluwatosin Ojaomo told the court that Uzodinma was indebted to his clients to the tune of N200million.

Ojaomo, who noted that there was a subsisting arrest warrant issued by an Abuja court against Uzodinma, said he (Uzodinma) was planning to use the N200m owed his clients to contest the forthcoming governorship election.

The lawyer added that a criminal matter had been instituted against Uzodinma for allegedly issuing a dud cheque of N200m to his clients. The proceedings were held up for about one hour owning to a major disagreement between Akintola and Agi.

At a point, both lawyers were standing and speaking at the same time, thereby occasioning rowdy proceedings. The hot exchange between the lawyers lasted for some minuites and created a rowdy atmosphere, in the midst of which the judge stood up and went into his chambers.

Other senior lawyers in court, including Damian Dodo, Kenneth Njemanze and Ogunwumiju (all SANs) later intervened and appealed to the feuding lawyers to allow peace to reign.

After successfully reconciling both warring lawyers, the senior lawyers, seven in all, later went to apologise to the judge in his Chambers. When proceedings resumed about one hour later, Dodo apologised to the judge in the open court.

Dodo said: “My Lord, I apologise for the incident that led to the abrupt rising of the court. I undertake that we will not to allow this to happen again. ”The judge accepted the apology and proceeded with the court’s business.

The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has expressed shock over the choice of former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi as the running mate to the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar without consulting with the leaders of the zone.

Umahi said the earlier statement quoting him as congratulating Peter Obi was never with his knowledge and dissociated himself from the statement, saying that the position of the entire South East zone has always been that any position zoned to the South East must be deliberated upon by the leaders of the zone.

He said in the case of the appointment of Mr. Obi as Atiku's running mate, neither the governors, nor Igbo leaders were consulted, a situation he said was a great departure from the earlier agreement.

The governor appologized to Nigerians and Ndigbo for the statement, adding that his Chief Press Secretary acted without his knowledge and wish to state categorically that he has nothing personally against Peter Obi or any other person emerging as the running mate to the presidential candidate of PDP.

He said that any position zoned to Ndigbo must be discussed and agreement reached so that the right thing is done in line with the perculiar nature of Igbo politics and their quest for politics of inclusiveness.

Remarks By Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

On The Visit of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to Abeokuta October 11, 2018

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I am happy to welcome the distinguished leaders of goodwill who have led the PDP Presidential Candidate and my former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to my humble abode and I welcome the Presidential Candidate himself.

Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here.

Yes, when it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo.  In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku.  And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself.  As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.

I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself.  I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.

From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you. 

Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party.  That’s why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party.  In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the Party’s flag with you as a team for your campaign.

There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends.  You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition.  But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared.  And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do. 

I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate -  all at the national level.  With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybody’s life and situation.

For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through. From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs.  You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways.  As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, “You are a wazobia man.”  And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism.

As you know, along the road to where you are today, many leaders and ordinary people cooperated and overtly and covertly worked hard.  On your behalf, I thank them all.  May their coast continue to be expanded.  And when you become Nigerian President which, insha-Allah, you will be, remember what we did together in government – we ran an administration by Nigerians for all Nigerians where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin.  Although some time and ground have been lost, you should endeavour to start from where we stopped and recover some lost ground, if not time. 

Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency.  The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended. I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding ALL the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency. 

Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years. They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none.

The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure.  Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women.

All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.

Once again, congratulations and I wish you well.  My distinguished brothers and leaders of goodwill, thank you for making this happen.  I will now count on you to encourage all hands to be on the deck to take Nigeria to the level God has created it to be – autopilot level.

God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.

After barely 6 hours from the announcement of the winner of the Imo APC Guber Primaries, a Socio-Political Group in Imo State called Ugwumba Youth Vanguard has congratulated Hon. Nwosu on his victory as the standard bearer to fly the flag of APC come 2019 General Elections.

In a release made available to Ameborave Media, the Youth Group through their Media Director congratulated Hon Uche Nwosu. Read below...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRINCIPAL UGWUMBA UCHE NWOSU.

The Leadership of Ugwumba Youth Vanguard, The foremost Youthful political structure of the Youthful Former Chief of Staff Imo State Government, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu wishes to use this auspicious time out to Congratulates our principal on his emergence as the flag bearer of APC for 2019 Governorship Elections.

We are aware of all the intricacies that played out during this battle as to who will clinch the APC ticket including the infamous Alhaji Ahmed Gulak led Committee that made away with the original result sheet.

It's not surprise to us that you came out victorious because we know for sure that you are a man with abundant grace. Even in the face of provocation, you displayed maturity which is lacking in most of our leaders today.

We assure you of our continued support and soul winning as we have entered another stage on our road to the People's House come May 29th 2019.

We at Ugwumba Youth Vanguard together with our Patrons say.... CONGRATULATIONS SIR!.

Ugwumba Vanguard...... Forward Ever!

Forward Ever........ For the Youth!.

Signed ✍️:

Comr. Wilson Amaefule 

Media Director, Ugwumba Youth Vanguard.

For:

Ezinwa Wisdom Nwauwa

Coordinator, Ugwumba Youth Vanguard.

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Ticket in the state.

Governor Okorocha polled 141,117 votes to beat his opponent, Senator Hope Uzodinma who got 1,359 votes.

Okorocha commended the electoral committee for its seriousness in ensuring that a peaceful and credible primary was conducted in the state.

He said, “All we have been saying in Imo State is give us a free and fair primary election”.

The governor also reiterated the party’s commitment to pursuing the course of democracy.

“Our party must know that there is no alternative to proper internal democracy”, he added.