President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria has overcome economic challenges under his administration, stressing that state governors no longer run to banks for loans to pay salaries.

The President made the remarks while hosting religious and traditional leaders for an interfaith breaking of the fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, March 9. In a statement released, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu promised to continue making the most of the opportunity given to him to lead the country by sustaining the trajectory of economic growth and prosperity.

“I am just grateful, one person among millions, that I have been given the opportunity to serve. And all I can do is promise that I will continue to be faithful in discharging my duty. I can report that the economy has turned the corner.

It is getting better. Pensioners are getting their relief gradually. We have saved Nigeria from bankruptcy.

It was very daunting and challenging when we took over. But today I can say with pride and joy that we have survived. No governor in this country is running around the banks to borrow money to pay the salaries of their workers,” the President said.

He also assured Nigerians that the nation would not allow agents of instability to undermine its peace, unity, and sovereignty, while acknowledging the critical roles religious and traditional leaders play in promoting stability and moral guidance in communities.

“Yes, we are challenged; the terrorists are very desperate now because they are getting barraged and defeated, they leave trails of blood in their wake. But I assure you of one thing: Nigeria will never surrender. We are not discouraged. We are going to win and win well,” he added

A high-ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has accused the party’s state chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, of orchestrating his expulsion from the party over personal vendetta.

In a strongly-worded letter to the APC National Vice-Chairman, South East, Dr. Arodiogbu, Willie Amadi alleged that Ebere’s actions were motivated by a desire to punish him for not showing sufficient deference to the state chairman.

Amadi claimed he was expelled from the party without due process, with the state chairman instructing the ward leadership to remove him as a member. He alleged that Ebere’s actions were part of a larger pattern of intimidation and marginalization of party members who disagree with him.

The dispute highlights internal power struggles within the APC in Imo State, with Amadi calling for intervention from the national leadership to resolve the issue and allow him to continue supporting the party’s cause.

Below is the complete letter from Willie Amadi’s Facebook page”

The National Vice-Chairman,
All Progress Congress
South East, Nigeria.

Dear Dr. Arodiogbu,

COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY JOURNEY IN APC AND THE PURPORTED DISRESPECTFUL EXPULSION FROM THE PARTY UNDER THE SOLE DIRECTIVE OF THE STATE CHAIRMAN, MCDONALD EBERE, Ph.D.

1. I joined the All Progressives Congress, APC on the 21st of June 2021 at Aladinma Ward 2, based on my conviction that the 3R administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma was on course coupled with the combined persuasions by my boss former Governor Ikedinachi Ohakim and the State APC Chairman Barr. Marcellinus Nlemigbo, a man I hardly say no to his advice. I was eventually registered by the Owerri Municipal LGA Chairman, Onyekachi Ibezim who led the Aladinma 2 Ward Chairman and their Executives to my residence. The memorable event took place at my AJUZIEOGU LODGE residence in Owerri.

2. During the State congress to elect officers of the party, I was requested by the leader of the party in the State to harmonise Aladinma Ward congress with the Leadership of the Ward. I invited Mrs. Josephine Nnoaham to my residence and other leaders wherein we reviewed the activities and plans of the ward and eventually approved the list for the Ward Executives and unanimously agreed with the Ward Chairman Daniel Amadi as my only input in the 27-man Executive members. 26 other leaders nominated one slot each to encourage inclusivity and group ownership of the Ward. We signed and I submitted the list to the authorities.

3. For many months, I caused to be summoned several ward meetings in my residence and ended the meetings with get together parties at my Ajuzieogu Lodge residence and on each occasion I always giving them cash gifts as “Thank you for coming.”

4. Suddenly, the leadership of the party at the State particularly the State Chairman started becoming uncomfortable and hostile towards me. The Chairman instigated Mrs. Josephine Nnoaham and her son who is the ward Secretary and a Councillorship aspirant to disrespect me and create factions in the ward if she wants him to make her son who is the Secretary of the ward a Councilor. The executives initially resisted them and some were directly threatened by the State Chairman and they left the party. All my loyal members accross the 11 wards were sidelined and humiliated and they became frustrated. The State Chairman pounced of my brother, Hon. Clinton Amadi and swore that he will never get the APC House of Assembly ticket. While abroad on medicals my brother Hon. Clinton Amadi informed me that he will leave APC for the State Chairman as it is obvious that he has no future in APC. He joined Labour Party. The blackmail was hatched and escalated by the State Chairman and Josephine Nnoaham and it gained momentum through strategic and deliberate misinformation to the Governor, APC government and some senior appointees of the government that the AMADIS have joined Labour Party to fight the Governor. Meanwhile, I was completely naive about their plans to blackmail me before His Excellency, the Governor.

5. Their next action was the sudden removal of the Ward Chairman, Dan Amadi on a spurious single allegation of anti party activities. They opined and insisted that since Hon. Clinton Amadi has joined Labour Party that all the AMADI family members are automatically Labour Party members and should be treated as saboteurs. The State Chairman, LGA Chairman, the APC House of Assembly candidate and the Ward Secretary held two meetings in the State Chairman’s New Owerri residence and finally resolved to expel the Ward Chairman even without a query or single word with him nor even the courtesy of complaining to me and or discussing the allegation with me as a leader of that Ward and critical stakeholder in the State.

6. When I received the privileged information about the plan of the trio, from the State Chairman’s office, I called the State Chairman several times but he never answered nor returned my calls and the same thing with Josephine Nnoaham. I called the State Secretary Chief Greg Madu and complained and he advised me to reach out to government house. I also called the Legal Adviser, Barr. Uche Nwosu who was neither aware and his advice sought about the secrete schemings.

7 .Consequently upon 6 above, I called the Chief of Staff to the Governor Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and complained bitterly about the ongoing plans. since I had no access to His Excellency because he was away from the country. The Chief of Staff promised to intervene. I also called the Chief Technical Adviser and Head, Political Burea , Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu whose intervention did not also yield any result. I realised that the Almighty Chairman frustrated all my complaints to any third party by feeding them falsehood directly and indirectly.

The next day, after the said meeting, the Secretary of the Aladinma
Ward 2 Mr, Kelechi Nnoaham invited the Ward executives without the consent of the ward Chairman as permitted under the party constitution to meet his mother whom he claimed had invited the ward executives to a recovery get- together party following her illness. On reaching at her residence at New Owerri outside the jurisdiction of Aladinma Ward 2 they met the LGA Chairman Mr. Onyekachi Ibezim already seated and waiting for them. After refreshments of food and some drinks with N5,000 given to each of the ward executives for their “transport”, the LGA Chairman collected an envelope from the State Chairman’s driver, called Flow who was also present in the meeting and brought out a document which contained a vote of no confidence against the Ward Chairman, Dan Amadi and told them that the State Chairman instructed that they should sign it and return it through his driver immediately. Four officers refused to sign the vote of no confidence against their Chairman and started calling my brother, Dan Amadi. They were held hostage until those present signed with 4 persons refusing to sign and their “Transport” collected back from them. I had to give them N100,000 each to replace their retrieved Transport money

When my brother informed me of the development I called the Chief of Staff and informed him that I was disappointed that a Ward that was handed over to me and which I have fortified for election can be destroyed because the State Chairman was not happy that I joined the APC in the first place despite his alleged intervention.

Unfortunately, it was this same State Chairman that attended the weekend retreat/meetings I organised with Barr. Ralph Nwosu, Chief Greg Madu and the State Organising Secretary in attendance under my Chairmanship as directed by His Excellency, the Governor two days after his assumption of office as the State Chairman to enable us fashion out a swift take-off and operational template for the party under his leadership. The report containing the take-off recommendations ranging from administrative, finance and Mobilisation techniques was submitted to His Excellency through him and the State Secretary Hon. Greg Madu. I signed it and the copy is hereby attached.

8. Thereafter, I participated and supported the State Chairman by both sought and unsolicited advice including but not limited to galvanising prominent Owerri indigenes, traditional rulers and stakeholders to accept him and his new position despite his distasteful arrogant and repulsive nature. To this end I followed up with a recommendation and supported a Civic Reception in his honor by Owerri Community. I guide the Committee which was headed by Prince Evance Anozie during the several meetings in my residence and personally paid for choice VIP food catering service, choice whiskey and wines which was served to the whole dignitaries which included Prince Lemmy Akakem, Majority leader, CP Dan Okoro, all traditional rulers of Owerri and their PGs, Prince Charls Amadi amongst many others. I ridiculously humbled myself and served all these dignitaries to make ensure that all of them left very satisfied, and happily they did. The video of the occasion is a testimonial. It cost me a total of N850,000.00to provide the sumptuous meal. I gave Chief Christogonus Okoro, a leader in the State the money to arrange all the food and drinks from his sister’s popular Bella Manure Catering Services. You can verify all these claims from him on 08138617788 sir.

9. Despite all these my efforts during the successful Civic Reception my younger brother, Macdonald never picked up his phone to say “ Ndaa Willie thank you for all you did during my reception.”

10. He traveled abroad immediately after the reception and on his return he met CDB Williams, Chief Analyn Nwaneri and I, on a sunday afternoon after church service at the Governor’s Lodge waiting to see the Governor. He was surprised that we were there without his knowledge and perhaps consent. He frowned heavily and reluctantly greeted us while also waiting to present the gift he bought for His Excellency. It was during this waiting period that I chastised him on his disrespect and ingratitude towards me arising from my sacrifices during the Civil Receiption and informed him that I am not in APC to diminish him or take his position but simply to add value to the Governor’s decision to take IMO State to greater heights. I reminded him of the abuses he reigned on me through sms and his various meetings with party leaders to petition the Governor after the announcement when I was appointed the Chief Technical Adviser to the Governor on Environment. He asked his supporters never to acknowledge me as a leader in the Municipal or extend any courtesy whatsoever. My appointment as the Chief Technical Adviser on Environment was a huge pain to him and he told me that much to my face and later sms he sent to me. I forwarded the sms to His Excellency, the Governor. He grudgingly apologised and left.

11. Mr. Chairman sir, I also recall an embarrassing event during the Local Government visitation to the Governor at the Government House as a reference point. His Excellency, the Governor saved me from a planned and sponsored humiliation on that day and asked me to go ahead and present the Local government report on behalf of the delegates at the Banquet hall and I thanked him for that intervention.

The State Chairman in continuation of his planned programme of humiliation forced Prince Alex Mbata to remove my brother’s name as his Owerri Municipal Senatorial PAM Coordinator and the DG Dikeocha was directed to remove him and he did and he brought his Personal Assistant as a replacement. The State Chairman also removed my brother, Dan Amadi as the Aladinma Ward Chairman where I reside and vote. It was these last straws that broke the camel’s back and I decided to boycott all electioneering campaigns in the Municipal having earlier donated N1m to Owerri Municipal when Prince Alex Mbata’s campaign team visited Owerri Municipal Council Headquarters for the first time.

Unfortunately for the party they paid dearly in those elections because of my visible absence and command during the campaigns. Both the State Chairman and the Campaign Council Chairman failed in their polling booths at Amawom pooling units where they come from despite the “special financial logistics” Macdonald and Ibejiako received, they deliberately omitted to do the needful for CDB WILLIAMS on the election day because of reasons I will expose in their presence any day you invite us for full and or genuine reconciliation before November 11th campaign takes-off sir.

It is ridiculous that my inquiry on APC LEADERS WhatsApp platform of how the extra logistics funds deployed to Owerri Municipal resulting to the shameful loss in the National Assembly election particularly for the Owerri federal constituency was applied by the State Chairman and Campaign Council Chairman earned me EXPULSION from the party within 24 hrs of the post. I was even hurriedly “Expelled“ from a wrong Ward. Instead of Aladinma Ward 2, I was ignorantly expelled from Ikenegbu Ward 1. This is a reflection of the level of ignorance, inept leadership and lack of knowledge of the disciplinary process in the constitution of our great party by the State Chairman who wrote the entire script.

As for Hon. Ernest Ibejako whom I pleaded with His Excellency for appointment as a Special Adviser to support and compliment my efforts in Owerri Municipal being an older politician, whom Macdonald refused to allow and recognize him as our Apex Leader based on my recommendation, his stoic silence in this face-off is surprisingly regrettable but rather than intervening and calling our younger brother to order he preferred enjoying the insults and embarrassment matted against me. For the umpteenth time I wish him well.

Finally, I thank you for your patience and time in reading this lengthy complaint and for giving me the opportunity to add my quota in this project of recovering IMO and also to position Owerri Zone to succeed His Excellency in 2028 under the Charter of Equity God willing.

PREAMBLE:
On records with the party, I was expelled from the party from the ward level on instructions of the State Chairman, Dr. Macdonald Ebere. Recall that Adams Oshiomole was equally treated the same way and he ignored it as inconsequential but he suffered the consequences when the court ruled that since he didn’t challenge it timeosly in court or administratively by the party organs that he remained expelled.

PRAYER:
I urge you to compel the Imo State Executive Committee to rescind that misdemeanour by the Ward and put the records straight before the general public and party members since an expelled member in the eyes of the public cannot join in the campaign for APC when he is not a member.

Only your intervention will redress the anomaly and encourage me to continue to render financial support and mobilise for the party’s victory in Owerri Municipal and the State as we approach the November 11th Governorship election, hence, I am bringing this petition to your office and good self.

May our good Lord continue to guard your thoughts and guide our footsteps to fulfill your destiny in Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen!!

His Grace is Sufficient.

Willie Amadi
Ukwa Achiaka & Omeudo
Owerri.

Monday, June 12th 2023.

Copy:

His Excellency,
President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

His Excellency,
Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma
Governor of Imo State

Through:
The Chief Technical Adviser,
Political Affairs/ Head, Political Bureau
Government House Owerri.

Dated this 12th day of June 2023.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal filed by Turaki and his group, affirming the earlier decision of the Federal High Court against the purported Ibadan convention.

The three-member panel, chaired by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, with Hon. Justices Okechukwu Onyemenam and Muhammed Mustapha as members, delivered a unanimous ruling dismissing the appeal and awarding a fine of N2 million against the appellants.

In its judgment, the appellate court upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court, which had nullified the controversial Ibadan convention.

The Court of Appeal further held that where a political party fails or refuses to conduct its congresses or conventions in accordance with its own constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act, such matters can no longer be regarded as purely internal affairs of the party. Instead, they become subject to judicial scrutiny.

The court emphasized that any congress or convention conducted in violation of the party’s constitution and the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act cannot stand in the eyes of the law, as such processes undermine both internal party democracy and the legal framework governing political parties.

Victory for democracy! Victory for the PDP! Victory for the National Caretaker Working Committee led by Mohammad and Anyanwu.