FROM GEORGE ONYEJIUWA,OWERRI
As preparations for the 2015 general elections intensify, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and his former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and currently chairman of Imo State Housing cooperation, Prince Charles Onuoha may be heading for a collision over the gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It will be recalled that Governor Rochas  Okorocha had during his 2011 campaign promised to serve only one term in office and after which he would pursue  his presidential ambition in 2015.
But the governor recently made a sudden u-turn to contest for a  second term as governor of Imo State. It was learnt that Okorocha’s sudden  decision to stand for re-election is apparently to counter the alleged threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take over the state, claiming  that he is the only one with the capacity and wherewithal to stop the PDP  from reclaiming power in the state.
However, Onuoha who had also served Okorocha as Commissioner for Special Duties, has called on his boss to  toe the path of honour by abiding by his single-term vow as well as handing over to Owerri Zone whose turn he, Okorocha usurped in 2011 going by the Imo Charter of Equity.
The governorship hopeful who was fielding questions from newsmen yesterday in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, stated: “Beyond Governor Okorocha’s one-term promise, my ambition to take over power from him is driven by what transpired on January 15, 2013 when the governor convened stakeholder’s meeting in government house.
In that meeting, the governor categorically told us that he was going to Abuja and urged those with governorship ambition to make declaration.
Of course, having contested the Labour Party ticket in 2011 and lost to a fraudulent primary before collapsing my entire structure into APGA towards actualizing Governor Okorocha’s victory  in 2011, it became an opportunity for me to openly make my intention known in our camp and party.”
Onuoha said the  governor even expressed happiness and promised “to ensure that my dream will never die. Besides, I am eminently qualified having garnered the pedigree and capacity to take Imo to the next level in terms of development and good governance.
“Also, I am from Mbaise axis of Owerri Zone that has never had a shot at the Douglas  House. So, from any angle you wish to judge my ambition, you will definitely agree that I am the right person for the state’s plum job and that’s basically the  reason Governor Okorocha should support my ambition which obviously is divine”.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has emerged as the new Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, succeeding Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra.
Announcing Orji’s emergence in Enugu on Sunday, the outgoing chairman of the forum, Gov. Obi said he was elected after consultations and agreement among the governors.
Obi called on the new chairman to ensure effective cooperation for the development of the zone.
In his acceptance speech, Orji promised to do his best to project issues concerning the zone in order to take it to greater heights.
“I know it is a very big task but with the cooperation of my colleagues, the task will be easy to accomplish.
“What I pledge is that I will put in my best for the South East as chairman of the governors’ forum to move the zone to the next level.
“I need every person’s cooperation especially the media in order to accomplish this singular task,’’ he said.
The meeting was attended by Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu and his colleague from Ebonyi, Martins Elechi, as well as stakeholders from the zone.

The Imo State Government has concluded plans to relocate about 5,000 shoemakers, of its indigenes resident in Aba, Abia State back to Owerri to run the state-owned shoe industry.
The state’s Commissioner for Industry and Non-Formal Sector, Mrs. Ugochi Nnana Okoro, announced this at a media briefing in Owerri, the state capital. She said the move would make the state a destination of choice in shoes industry, just as the state government has also advocated for the abolition of federal ministries in the states for their none viability.
Mrs. Okoro, who is also the supervising commissioner for Agriculture, said the arrangement would also encourage locally- made goods as well as boost the economy of the state.
According to her, all products made in the state must be labeled “Madein- Imo.’. She said government had acquired modern equipment to run the Standard Shoe Industry owned by the state. The commissioner said the industry had been producing high quality sandals for primary school pupils in the state.
She said that due to the numerous projects being executed by the current government in the state, it was not possible for the government to establish more industries.
Okoro said that some of the moribund government- owned industries would be reactivated and leased out to the private sector. Source

by pmnews   Folarin Ademosu
Notwithstanding the controversy that trailed his sudden death on 15 February, John Ndubuka, 36, a civil servant and relative of Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, was buried today at his family compound on Aguyi Ironsi Street, Umuahia, in the Central senatorial district of the southeastern state of Abia.
The deceased was reported to have been hit by a bullet which discharged accidentally from a Police rifle after a civic reception by the Ikwuano clan for the governor, penultimate week, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Ndubuka, who worked in the department of Planning Development, Abia Government House, and, later, redeployed to work with Governor Orji’s son, Chinedu, on youth mobilisation, left behind a son and his pregnant wife.
A source said the deceased was helped to his civil service job by the governor after he completed his National Youth Service Corps scheme in Cross River, while his wife had just finished her service year the week the husband died.

But shortly after the tragedy occurred, various versions of the circumstances that occasioned Ndubuka’s death surfaced, especially on the internet.
In an account by a relatively unknown online medium, Igbere TV Facebook, Chinedum allegedly ordered the killing of his cousin, Ndubuka just after the reception ended around mid-day.
In yet another post on the internet, a certain Odimegwu Onwumere, who claimed to be a poet, author and founder, Poet Against Child Abuse in Rivers State, equally blamed Chinedum and accused him of being a prime influencer of his father’s government.
Some online medium, including Societynow.ng, has lifted and regurgitated the story, which the government described as a smear campaign being sponsored by an out-of-power politician from the state.
Curiously, the said Igbere TV has recanted its earlier story, calling it “misleading and and concocted for personal gains.”
In a post on its website two days ago, the medium said: “On the 15th of February 2014, we carried a story on the death of one Mr. John Ndubuka a cousin of Governor T.A Orji, which was misleading”
The medium said the saboteur within its fold had been relieved of his job, stating that ” as a group, we want to apologize to our fans, Abians and the affected family, especially Engr. (Chinedum) Orji for this media rascality exhibited by one of us.”
In his own defence, Chinedum Orji, was miffed that his father’s political rivals could politicise his cousin’s death and misinform the public.
He lamented that Ndubuka’s death was “appropriated by mischief makers to prosecute a mindless hatchet job of casting aspersions on my humble self; with innuendos, jaundiced analysis and outright blackmail.”
Chinedum said the deceased had just helped him locate his vehicle among the mass of people and automobiles at the venue of the civic reception for his father on the day, when he heard a gun shot.
In the midst of the chaos, the younger Orji stated that, “we discovered that John was clinging to his chest, his white shirt heavily blood-soaked. Effort to revive him failed, as he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
Chinedum, who our source described as the mastermind of the various youth empowerment and employment schemes executed by the incumbent government, said he had been an object of a severely sponsored attack and blackmail by a section of media.

From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha
Uneasy calm reigns in  Onitsha, Anambra State as child theft has assumed a dangerous dimension in the commercial city with the emergence of a syndicate that allegedly steals  children from Calabar, Cross River State and uses  Onitsha as its sales point.
However, luck ran out on two suspected female members of the syndicate yesterday when they were apprehended at separate spots  by policemen attached to the Okpoko Police Division at  Akwa Ibom Park axis  along Onitsha-Owerri Road after an unidentified  woman was arrested for allegedly stealing two babies from Calabar and selling  them in Onitsha.
Another woman suspected to be a member of the child trafficking syndicate was also arrested by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) attached to Okpoko Police Division at the Calabar Motor Park on Onitsha-Owerri Road.
Daily Sun gathered that the suspects, who were undergoing interrogation at the office of Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Emeka Ugwu, were arrested following a tip off by some staff of the Akwa Ibom Motor Park and passersby, who suspected their movements.
According to one of the witnesses simply identified as Obinna, one of the suspects was a regular visitor to the park, and  had always come on a weekly basis with different children after which she would return to Calabar, leaving the children behind.
Obinna said nemesis caught up with the women when one of them came into the park in a vehicle belonging to the Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS) with a newly born baby with  blood stains.
“The lady comes to the park almost every week; at times at two weeks interval and we discovered that each time she appeared, she had two or three children mostly day old and one-week old children. There was a day she carried a baby with stain of blood showing that the child had  just been delivered. So, today (yesterday) she came  from Calabar and because we have been monitoring her, we noticed that she had two children with her. But when she resurfaced  to board a bus back to Calabar without those kids, that was when we confirmed our suspicion and invited the police,” he said.

From EMMANUEL UZOR, Onitsha
Security agents in the commercial city of Onitsha and Anambra State in general are having hectic time controlling the series of clashes in the city between street urchins at various motor parks ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the city today.
Saturday Sun gathered that the crisis between Ndi Ukwu Aziza and Ndi Ukwu Otosi over the control of Aba park at Onitsha-Owerri road escalated yesterday resulting in blocking the Onitsha-Owerri Road for several hours before team of soldiers, navy and policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Okpoko police division, Mr. Emeka Ugwu restored normalcy to the area.
The clash was coming even as President Jonathan is expected to land at Asaba International Airport from where he will use Air Force helicopter to land at Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium, Onitsha to pay courtesy call on Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe before departing for Owerri, Imo State.
Meanwhile security has been beefed up in the commercial city of Onitsha ahead of the president’s visit. The Area Commander in charge of Onitsha Police Area Command, Mr. Benjamin Wordu was seen patrolling the city with team of policemen as part of security measures.
However, a visit to the Imeobi palace of Obi of Onitsha showed heavy presence of security personnel as well as others who were seen working round the clock to make sure that there was serious security during and after president’s visit.
The Chairman of Onitsha North council area, Mr. Osite Egbuna, said there was heavy security ahead of Mr. President’s visit, adding that the entire commercial city of Onitsha is in great expectation to receive the president.
Mr. Egbuna also commended Governor Peter Obi for his support and leadership style that endeared him to the people, saying that the visit of the president will further bring development to the city.
Meanwhile, the police have deployed Anti bomb squad to the commercial city of Onitsha to ensure peace and security during and after the president’s visit.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe proved abortive.

 The apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has asked foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze (SAN) to grow up, live his age and be a statesman rather than dropping comments in the media that are capable of undermining the interest of the Igbo race. The Anambra State chairman of the group, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, who made this known at a media briefing on Monday in Awka, the state capital, said that Prof Nwabueze’s comments of late were geared towards undermining the progress of Ndigbo, with the aim of supporting the Yorubas, who he alleged pays the elder statesman’s bills. Eluemunoh said “Nwabueze’s comments are outright falsehood against Ohaneze and Ndigbo, and keeping quiet will mean accepting them. Since he is our son, and hails from this state, there is need for us to clear the air on his falsehood”. The state chairman said Ohaneze was the only group speaking for the Igbos, and for Nwabueze to parade himself as the leader of The Patriot and creating the impression that Ohanaeze Ndigbo was divided and incapable of speaking for the Igbos, was outright falsehood. “He is simply playing the music of the Yoruba people, there is no case in court concerning Ohanaeze, we are not divided and Chief Garry Igariwey remains our President-General. “Nwabueze is a good constitutional lawyer who is selfish. He has grown and does not want anyone else to grow, but he should know that Igboland has good lawyers today”, Eluemunoh said. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader also took a swipe at Governor Rochas Okorocha for purportedly parading himself as the new Igbo leader. “What he is doing is a childish prank because he knows he will never become Igbo leader. The earlier he realizes this and stop selling Igbos to his Yoruba friends the better. Ohanaeze is not APC, so he should be advised to retrace his step”, Eluemunoh said. by: daniel

The National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS) has been charged to ensure total eradication of cultism and other social ills in their universities.
The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mr Uche Nwosu, gave the charge at an interactive forum with the executive members of the association on Saturday in Owerri.
Nwosu described cultism as a menace that had distracted a lot of students from academic work, saying it should be tackled effectively.
He advised the students to conduct their activities honourably and responsibly as future leaders of the country.
“You have a big duty as officials of Imo State students.
“Over two million Imo state students are looking up to you, you should be bold to defend them, your state and the nation at large,” he said.
He said that as beneficiaries of the free education policy of the state government, students should reciprocate by shunning cultism and other societal vices.
He later donated a new 14-seater bus to the union.
Earlier, the President of NAISS, Comrade Amarachi Erezieo for said they were in a familiarisation visit to the commissioner.
He expressed gratitude to the commissioner for his support and to the state government for its free education policy.
He expressed the association’s support to government.
Erezieofor enumerated some of the projects to be embarked upon by the union to include campaign against indecent dressing, cultism, street hawking by children under the age of 13.
He said that they also planned to organise debate among secondary schools in the state where topics like the preservation of the Igbo culture, danger of cultism and the need to revive agriculture would be discussed.
He thanked the commissioner for the bus donation and promised to use it for the furtherance of the activities of the union.
NAISS is an umbrella body that covers all the Imo students in various academic institutions in the country. (NAN)

by: The Citizen

The era of Mohammed Abubakar as Inspector-General of Police, seem to be innovating positive ideas and new crime fighting methods in the country.On daily bases, officers and men of the force who have embraced the transformation agenda of their boss in Abuja, engage themselves in fierce competition to out do each other in achieving commendable results.

That is why an Area Commander in Enugu State ingeniously devised his own way of complementing the conventional method of fighting crime by using catapult as an added weapon. While birds cleverly fly to its nests without being hit with catapult, criminals in Nsukka, the University town dread the Area Commander of the zone, Ros-Armson Haladu who is always identified with arming himself with catapult while on patrol.


Though armed to the teeth with his official rifle, the Area Commander’s new dimension of policing has added colour to the onerous duty of the police by carrying catapult at all times to prove that security agencies across the globe have to be combat-ready at any given situation. Walking round Enugu North Senatorial zone while on surveillance, the Area Commander, equipped with his crack team of fierce detectives, still carries his catapult with enough sharp stones to disperse any suspected unlawful gathering.

A police source revealed that the Commander had craftily used his catapult in the past to track a fleeing vehicle in a stop-and -search operation along Nsukka-Adani-Onitsha highway. The bandits who were armed with sophisticated weapons had dislodged policemen in Nsukka main town last year after robbing a first generation bank. They were reportedly fleeing leisurely from the town when the Area Commander who had laid ambush on the highway with his men, used his catapult to shatter their windscreen. In the ensuing confusion, the unsuspecting bandits were dislodged.

The Area Commander’s catapult-style of policing the University Town of Nsukka has eventually given him another identity “the Catapult Policeman” as he stands out among other officers with his well tied catapult which makes the difference in the midst of others. Whenever he aims with it, people close their eyes, bend their heads with the two hands covering their faces as a form of defense.

This policing with style has made him to be at home with both indigenes of the area and visitors. The resultant effect was the benevolence of one of the his admirers who single-handedly built a multimillion naira bungalow for him. The business mogul, Chief William Agbo popularly called Son of Paddy, said he was impressed with the style of the Police officer and decided to erect the structure as a permanent abode for Area Commanders who will serve in the area. “Since his assumption of duties two years ago in the area, the agile officer has increased police divisions in the zone from seven to 12, yet carries his catapult a s a show of security consciousness, ”Chief Agbo noted.

Another prominent traditional ruler in the town, Chief Emeka Ugwu-Asadu Ameze told Crime Guard that “The commander is a focused and dedicated police officer, he is very open and forthright. He is always at the apex of crime situations with his catapult and other weapons together with communication gadgets. To attest to his humble achievements, many residents of the zone heaved a sigh of relief and slept with both eyes closed during the last Christmas celebration.”

When asked the secret of adding catapult to his arsenal in fighting crime, the officer simply laughed and advised the reporter to channel all inquiries to the Police spokesman in Enugu.

The Enugu West Peoples Forum, on Thursday raised the alarm over what it termed “forceful endorcements and political intimidations in Enugu State”.
In a press briefing addressed in Enugu by the forum’s chairman, Hon. Paul Anikwe, he said the state was sliding into a political garrison where freedom of expression could no longer be guaranteed.
The group accused the state government of using its apparatus to coarse citizens of the state into endorsing the 2015 ambition of Governor Sullivan Chime and his preferred candidates.
Governor Chime is said to be interested in representing the Enugu West Senatorial zone at the Senate in E015.
The alarm of the forum is coming amidst feelers that some traditional rulers in the state are on the verge of loosing their stool for paying a thank-you visit on the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
The statement read, “On behalf of Enugu West People’s Forum, I welcome you to this very crucial press conference and thank you for finding time to answer this clarion call. This press conference has been necessitated by unavoidable circumstances and political developments in Enugu State, most of which am sure you are all already aware of, and which we consider very inimical to the interest of democracy and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 general election.
“You too are witnesses to the many instances of political highhandedness in the state, including the harassment and intimidation of various party functionaries, town unions, stakeholders, traditional institutions, and the civil society over the 2015 ambition of the Governor of Enugu State and his preferred candidates.
“You are aware of the harassment and illegal efforts to remove the Chairman of the PDP in Udi Local Government Area of the State, Mr. Uche Ogbodo by some Enugu State Government functionaries with the blessing of the Chairman of the PDP, Engr. Vita Abba for his refusal to pander to their undemocratic interests.
“Only a few days ago, some people under the Enugu State Government from Awgu Local Government Area issued a statement claiming the endorsement of Governor Sullivan Chime for Enugu West Senatorial seat by the Executive Council of the PDP in Awgu Local Government, but without any recourse whatsoever to the said Local Government Exco. Of course, the Awgu Local Government Exco of the PDP has already issued a statement denying ever endorsing Governor Sullivan Chime or anybody for that matter.
“You are also probably aware that four royal fathers who joined their subjects under the auspices of Ezeagu Local Government stakeholders and leaders of thought to an appreciation visit to the Deputy President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR over the numerous development projects attracted to their communities are on the verge of losing their stools. We have it on good authority that while two of the traditional rulers, namely HRH Igwe Raphael Okolo of Iwolo community and HRH Igwe John Nwakaeze of Oha Ndiagu were ordered by the State Chairman of the PDP, Engr. Vita Abba to go on air to renounce their commendation of the immense development strides of Senator Ike Ekweremadu or lose their stools, while the traditional ruler of Olo and Chairman of the Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Harford Agana as well as traditional ruler of Umuoji Imeziowa, Igwe Igbonekwu are about to lose their stools any moment from now.
“You were also aware that the poultry farm of the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi was forcibly closed and the over 3,000 birds carted away by functionaries of Enugu State Government on the excuse that it constituted public nuisance to the Enugu State Government House. But it beats the imagination of the right-thinking public how a poultry farm located within the agriculture designated area of the Deputy Governor’s Lodge, which he inherited and has been operating since 2008 suddenly became a public nuisance or how the Deputy Governor’s farm constituted a higher nuisance than the bigger poultry, expansive piggery, and sprawling cattle ranch at the Governor’s side of the same Government House”.
It continued that “We therefore wish to condemn in strongest terms the attempts by some State Government functionaries and the Enugu PDP Chairman, Engr. Vita Abba to compel and railroad various government functionaries and party executives into hasty endorsement of the Governor of Enugu State and his preferred candidates for elective political positions in the forthcoming 2015 general elections.
“These same people form the large chunk of the delegates at the party primaries and should be allowed to make choices of their own freewill and based on their good conscience when the time comes. Efforts to railroad and force them towards a particular agenda at this time are preemptive and indeed represent attempt to rig and compromise the primaries in advance.
“Condemn in totality the rising cases of political intimidation, arm-twisting, threats, and witch-hunt of otherwise neutral Local Government Party Excos and government functionaries averse to this preemptive rigging and compromise of the electoral processes of Enugu State PDP ahead of the 2015 general election;
“Condemn the descent of Enugu State into a political garrison, with stringent measures applied to the muffle voices of the populations and terribly abridge their constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and association.
“We see absolutely nothing wrong with royal fathers joining their people to pay an appreciation visit to their elected representatives for verifiable democracy dividends attracted to their communities. To punish these respected persons for such conventional and well-intentioned action is to say the least oppressive, offensive, and a dangerous pollution of the democratic environment.
“Warn that this dangerous resort to high level of political intimidation and desperation is capable of undermining the growth of the party and political peace in Enugu State.
“Warn that these undemocratic and uncivilized actions and utterances are capable of causing serious disaffection, mass defection, disunity, instability, and uncontrollable dissension thereby undermining the cohesiveness and success of the Enugu PDP in the forthcoming general elections.
“PDP thrives on democratic ethos and to steamroll into endorsements is nothing short of dictatorship.
“Call on the national leadership of the party to note this high level of abuse of executive and party powers in Enugu, especially by Engr. Vita Abba and call them to order to stop the drift to internal anarchy in Enugu PDP.
“Finally, call on Engr. Vita Abba to resign his position as the Enugu State Chairman of the PDP to pursue his gubernatorial ambition, which is the driving force behind his undemocratic and nefarious actions. He should no longer be allowed to lord his personal interest over the overall interest and fortunes of the party”.
By Emmanuel Uzodinma

Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has suspended the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Nma Onyechere, with immediate effect for physically assaulting a serving Commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Emeka Okoronkwo.
The Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the governor on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, who confirmed this development to newsmen explained that Okorocha’s administration does not tolerate indiscipline.
“The Governor received a complaint that the suspended Commissioner physically assaulted a serving Commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Emeka Okoronkwo”.
Speaking further, Onwuemeodo explained that it was the considered opinion of the Governor that such a public figure of the rank of a commissioner should learn how to control her temper, no matter the level of provocation.
“The reported incident brought bad image to the administration and the Governor strongly felt that such a public figure of the rank of a Commissioner should learn to properly manage her temper very well, no matter the level of provocation”, Onwuemeodo added.
Findings revealed that the Commissioner had been directed to immediately handover all government property in her possession to the Permanent Secretary in her Ministry.
By Ameh Comrade Godwin