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Uzodimma inaugurates Committee to investigate insecurity in Okigwe, rebuild Zone

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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has inaugurated a fact-finding Committee charged with the responsibility of investigating the prolonged insecurity and socio-economic devastation that have bedeviled Okigwe Zone for sometime now, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to rebuild the area and bring back peace, justice and enduring security.

Members of the Committee include: the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Dr. Samuel Uche (Chairman), foremost academic and legal luminary, Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri (Secretary), Anglican Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha (member), Monsignor John Iwe (member) and HRH Eze Iheanaco Ndukwe (member).

Other members are the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, and a Representative of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking at the inauguration held at the New Exco Chambers, weekend, the Governor who described the situation in Okigwe as “deeply troubling,” regretted that “violence and deprivation have persisted for more than four years.”

“This area has been a theatre of unfair violence, where lives have been lost and property destroyed. The situation demands urgent and honest intervention.”

Uzodimma emphasised that reconstruction alone would not solve the problem without accountability. “We can rebuild houses and reconstruct roads, but without justice, our efforts will be in vain,” he stated, urging the Committee to uncover the root causes of the crisis to deter reoccurrence.

He charged members of the Committee whom he said were selected for their integrity and track record, to engage directly with affected communities and assess their needs in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and housing.

The era of silence and suffering in Okigwe is over,” the governor declared and assured the Committee of full government support, including security backup where necessary.

While he advised the Committee to fish out those who worked both directly, indirectly and remotely to cause devastation in Okigwe, the Governor also encouraged residents to share information freely with the Committee members.

He was emphatic about youths who were drawn into violence in the zone, and promised support for rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Committee Is expected to submit its preliminary report within 30 days.

Uzodimma said the report will form the basis for a comprehensive rehabilitation package and peace-building programme for Okigwe.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman, Most Rev Dr. Samuel Uche, assured that his members will swing into action immediately and deliver results swiftly.

He reiterated that his members are tested and trusted persons whose sense of character, work ethics and love for community are impeccable.

Dr. Uche congratulated Governor Uzodimma over his six years anniversary, and for the visible improvements in security throughout the State, especially in Okigwe zone.

“I drove home after Sunday Service in about 40 minutes. Everywhere was calm, unlike before. This shows that peace is gradually returning,” he had reflected on his recent trip to his Ihube community in Okigwe.

Describing his appointment as a significant privilege with serious responsibility, he emphasised the necessity for “wisdom, accuracy, diligence, and resourcefulness” in tackling the Committee’s challenges.

“We are here to serve the people and do what is right,” he affirmed.

The Prelate expressed gratitude for the Governor’s support, promising that the Committee will not shy away from seeking guidance when needed.

He announced plans to temporarily relocate to Imo State from Lagos to facilitate effective engagement.

“I will literally relocate and live close to the people so we can do this work properly,” he added, noting that improved security allows for the decision.

While reflecting on his own past security challenges, including a kidnapping incident, Dr. Uche thanked the Governor and the community for their support.

He further lauded the choice of Prof Obiaraeri as Secretary to the Committee and assured of members collaboration with local political leaders to ensure success.

“We have studied our terms of reference and will align our work strictly with the assignment given to us. By God’s grace, our work will be commendable and a reference point,” he concluded, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to delivering impactful results.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Senator representing Okigwe Zone, Sen. Patrick Ndubueze, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council and other stakeholders from Okigwe attended the inauguration ceremony.

 

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PDP to screen Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday as its sole Presidential aspirant For 2027 race

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has scheduled to screen former president Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow, Tuesday, aMay 19, as the lone presidential candidate of party.

According to a statement from the PDP faction backed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former governor of Plateau State, Jona Jang and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi have been listed among a committee of 14 members to screen Jonathan described as a lone candidate by the party.

Other members of the committee were Chief Olabode George, Babangida Aliyu, Maryam ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenin, Dr. Abdul Bulama, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Edo State PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, Dr. Sunday Solarium and Chief Anicho Okoro, who would serve as administrative secretary of the committee.

Last week, the national Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ini Ememobong, disclosed that former president Jonathan has successfully registered as a member of the party in the fresh digital registration exercise directed by INEC.

The PDP faction also announced that it was set to screen 748 house of representatives aspirants, 198 senatorial aspirants, and 112 governorship aspirants.

The screening committee would screen 2122 states houses of assembly aspirants. The exercise will commence tomorrow, Tuesday in different states.

According to the statement, the screening exercise would take place nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The statement said the Interim National Working Committee (iNWC) has also released the names of members to serve on the Screening Committees and Screening Appeal Panels.

It added that the publication of the screening details “is in accordance with the party’s guidelines and timetable for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.”

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Oshiomhole wins Edo APC senatorial primaries unopposed

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A former governor and incumbent Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, along with his counterpart Senator Joe Ikpea, sailed through the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Edo unopposed, and securing their tickets without a single vote cast against them.

Also Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama emerged the winner in the APC primary for the Edo South senatorial district.

Ogbeide-Ihama won in the seven local government areas of Edo South in the results announced by the Chairman of APC National Assembly Primary Election, Muhammed Ajana at the Urokpota Hall, Benin.

He polled 27,154 votes while his opponents, Senator Neda Imasuen, got 13,580, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu got 6785.

The elections were hitch-free in Edo North and Edo Central, where there was no contest against the incumbents, Senators Oshiomhole of Edo North and Ikpea of Edo Central, respectively.

Ajana at the Urokpota Hall said the collation arose from votes cast in the seven local government areas made up of 77 wards where elections were conducted by members of the committee.

He said, “There are seven local governments that make up the Edo South Senatorial District. We have heard from the Returning officers from the seven local government areas. From the collation, the cumulative result we have for Edo South Senatorial District is this; Ogbeide-Ihama with 27,154 votes, Imasuen with 13,580 votes and Ize-Iyamu with 6, 785.

“This is the total reflection of what has transpired from the ward level to the local government and the Edo South senatorial district collation centre. With this we await further directives from the National Secretariat, we have done our best by collating the results which is our mandate, to collate the results and send them to the National Secretariat.”

However, it was gathered that Ize-Iyamu emerged as the APC candidate for Edo South Senatorial race. He claimed to have clinched the party’s ticket after defeating Ogbeide-Ihama and Imasuen.

It was claimed that the Chief Returning Officer, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, officially declared Ize-Iyamu the winner after securing the highest number of votes cast.

On his part, the senator representing the district condemned the exercise describing it as a sham allegedly designed to favour a preferred aspirant.

Imasuen spoke while reacting to events at his polling unit in Umagbae North Ward 5, Urhokuosa where he said he was denied the opportunity to vote following what he described as a chaotic and manipulated process.

The lawmaker accused leaders of the party of openly adopting a preferred candidate ahead of the exercise and intimidating members into supporting that aspirant.

He said, “There is nothing satisfactory about this sham of election they did today and it is very unfortunate because as a loyal party member, I expected something better than this.”

He said the warning signs emerged days before the primary when some ward chairmen allegedly informed him that they had been directed not to receive him during consultations.

Imasuen claimed that some ward leaders openly told him the party had already adopted a preferred aspirant, identified as Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, making further consultations unnecessary.

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Ajuloopin Suffers Setback as Home Ward Rejects Third Term Return Bid in Kwara APC Primary

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The re-election bid of the member representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Hon. Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, popularly known as Ajuloopin, suffered a major setback on Friday after party members in his home ward, Omu-Aran Ward 1, boycotted the All Progressives Congress APC House of Representatives primary.

According to party stakeholders and observers present at the exercise, no valid election took place in the ward after members refused to participate in protest against what they described as the lawmaker’s poor performance after three consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.

Sources in the ward said efforts by some political figures and loyalists to persuade members to back Ajuloopin’s ambition failed, with party faithful insisting they would not endorse what they termed an attempt to impose his candidacy again.

The boycott led to a breakdown of the electoral process in Omu-Aran Ward 1, with many members staying away from the polls entirely. Stakeholders have called on the APC Electoral Committee to disregard any result purportedly presented from the ward, arguing that no credible primary was conducted there.

Political observers in the constituency described the development as a significant blow to Ajuloopin, noting that the rejection came from his own ward and among constituents most familiar with his record.

Preliminary reports from other parts of Irepodun, Isin and Oke-Ero local government areas, where voting proceeded, also indicated weak support for the incumbent. Many party members were said to have voted for alternative aspirants.

APC stakeholders have urged the party leadership to review reports from affected wards and accept only authentic and verifiable results to preserve the credibility of the primaries. They stressed that internal democracy was critical to the party’s prospects in the constituency and warned against imposing unpopular candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

With tension rising across the federal constituency, party faithful said the leadership must listen to grassroots members and allow delegates and supporters to determine the outcome of the primaries.

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