Politics
Forming a New Cabinet: Likey Names Hope Uzodimma May Appoint SSG, Chief of Staff

Published
1 year agoon
By
Ekwutos Blog
As Governor Hope Uzodimma keeps people of Imo waiting on who becomes his key aides as Secretary to the Imo State Government, SSG and Chief of Staff, ekwutosblog can reveal names of those who may be considered for the position.
Uzodimma is yet to name key officials after his inauguration for Second Term on January 15, 2024.
Unlike in the first tenure he quickly named Chief Cosmas Iwu and Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie as SSG and Chief of Staff respectively, his second tenure is wearing a new look suggesting the time he has consumed before the announcement.
Since Okigwe Zone had the SSG in Iwu who was with Uzodimma for four years, there is likelihood that should Iwu fail to return, another Okigwe person may be given the chance.
In the zone and enjoying the confidence of the governor is Chief Mrs Ruby Emele.
Emele from Isiala Mbano is a die-hard Hopist who has been with the governor since their days in PDP. Since the governor came on board in 2020, Emele has been among the top shots of the APC holding sensitive position.
Sources close to the governor disclose that Emele has the ears of the confidence and enjoys strong confidence which made Uzodimma give her the Bureau of Local Government And Chieftaincy Office where she functioned as a Special Adviser before rising to a Commissioner for the same position.
Among those who hail from Okigwe Zone, Emele is a priced one likely to be considered for SSG. It was gathered that the smooth manner she handled the LGA affairs for the period exited the governor to give her another trial.
Another candidate likely to get the nod for SSG is immediate past Speaker, Rt Hon Emeka Nduka. Nduka was the only APC candidate who ran for the Imo State House of Assembly in 2019 election that succeeded in becoming a House Member.
The former Ehime Mbano lawmaker got the speakership position courtesy of Uzodimma and findings have it that within the brief period he held sway his capacity speaks volumes which may warrant Uzodimma giving him a consideration for the position.
After leaving office as Speaker, Nduka maintains a rosy relationship with Uzodimma even as there are unconfirmed reports that since the governor didn’t facilitate him an APC second term ticket to return to the House, the SSG position may be a compensation for the loss.
Not left out in the bracket of those who may get the position is former Youths and Sports Commissioner, Chief Emeka Okoronwkwo. Okoronwkwo from Okigwe LGA was recently removed from office like others but ekwutosblog gathered that the opportunity to serve earned him recognition from the governor. The success of returning Heartland FC of Owerri back to premier league and also doing the needful in several aspects of governance may force Uzodimma to look his side.
If the connection of Chief Tony Chukwu in Government House Owerri is still relevant, his brother, Francis Chukwu may also be in the capture list. It was learnt that to carry along some political leaders along in the state, family members of top shots in the state will be considered.
In view of the above, the brother of former governor Ikedi Ohakim, Dr Emma Ohakim may also come in here. Since Ohakim was unable to become Senator after showing interest to represent Okigwe Zone and missing Ministerial appointment, hooking the brother who also tasted power as Chief of Staff may be a compensation to the family in the category of SSG.
For the Chief of Staff position, latter revelations from insiders in the Uzodimma political family have it that despite the delay it would be difficult for the governor to drop Anyaehie.
ekwutosblog was told that Uzodimma is Anyaehie and Anyaehie is Uzodimma. That despite different parenthood, both share several things in common and can be likened to Siaseme twins.
ekwutosblog recalls that apart from having affinity that has spanned more than a decade in the political scene, Anyaehie became PDP chairman, Imo State through the magnanimity of Uzodimma. If their past relationship is considered, then Anyaehie will still be back to Govt House, Owerri as the Chief of Staff.
But should the opposite be the case where Anyaehie doesn’t return, Trumpeta learnt that there other strong loyalists that may be given a chance.
One of them is Chinasa Nwaneri, a popular influential figure and backbone of the governor. The story of Uzodimma in the field of politics cannot be told without Chinasa who during the past four years was spotted anywhere the governor was. During the eight years Uzodimma spent in the National Assembly, Abuja, Chinasa from Nkwerre was available. Irrespective of insinuations surrounding their relationship, both are said to be partners in governance where the governor may rely on him as COS.
Also among those to catch the searchlight of Uzodimma for the Chief of Staff is APC chairman in Imo State, Macdonald Kelechi Ebere PhD.
Ebere, another strong loyalist of Uzodimma to be on consideration for the Chief of Staff is very close to the governor who has also enjoyed preserved appointments as Entraco GM, and latter APC State Chairman.
Those that can’t be left out in the schedule for consideration for the the Office of Chief I’d Staff are Barr Emeka Agbo, a notable Uzodimma loyalist and Sir Ifeanyi Oruh. Both fall into the category of “Uzodimma Boys” who stand a chance for the position.
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Politics
“They can go to h£ll” Ribadu blasts Canada for denying military chiefs visa.

Published
19 hours agoon
February 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has blasted Canada officials for denying visa to top Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Ribadu expressed his disapproval at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), held at the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, Feb. 13.
The NSA’s comment came after the Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that he and his team were invited to Canada for an event honouring war veterans, but he and about half of the delegation were denied visas.
General Musa described the incident as “disappointing” but emphasised that it serves as a reminder for Nigeria to “stand strong as a nation” and not be taken for granted.
He said: “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those who were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there. We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing.”
Ribadu commended Gen. Musa for speaking out about the incident.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to h3ll,” Ribadu said.
The NSA said that despite the disappointment, Nigeria is “peaceful and strong” and must work hard to overcome such challenges.
Ribadu praised Gen. Musa for providing “purposeful leadership” in the war against t£rrorism, b@nditry, and other security thre@ts in the country.
Politics
Senate urges FG to include North-East in N4.2trn super highway projects

Published
20 hours agoon
February 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Nigerian Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to include raids in the North-East in the N4.2 trillion superhighway for the well-being of the people of the zone.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje representing Gombe Central Senatorial District on Thursday.
The motion was titled, ‘Federal Government’s Approval of N4.2trillion for Construction of Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road and Other Road Projects Nationwide’.
“It is imperative to note that in this laudable project, the North – East has only two projects, that is, Yola – Fufore – Gurin Road in Adamawa State (N11.81 Billion); and Lamido Road in Taraba State (N7.68 Billion), out of the approved sum of N4.2 Trillion Naira.
“Apart from these two road projects in the North – East, there are other very important road networks, which are in bad conditions, such as: the Bauchi – Gombe road; Biu – Gombe road; Potiskum – Gombe road; Darazo – Gombe road; Numan – Jalingo road; Yola – Mubi road; Yola – Michika – Madagali – Gwoza – Bama road, Ngorore – Mayo Belwa – Zing – Jalingo; Mayo Belwa – Jada – Ganye; Biu – Gombi – Maranraba; Biu – Damboa – Maiduguri; and Biu – Damaturu, among others, which desperately require serious reconstruction and rehabilitation.
“The North – East is the only Zone that is not connected to the SUPER HIGHWAY PROJECT, embarked upon by this administration,” Goje said .
He however commended President Tinubu for the Super Highway projects which according to him, are to ensure connectivity by improving road safety with the aim of harnessing the viability of resources that abound across the length and breadth of this country.
The Senate amended Goje’s second prayer from urging the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of the listed deplorable roads in the North – East to urging the Federal Government to as a matter of necessity, approve the rehabilitation of all deplorable roads across the country .
In contributions to debate on the motion, many of the senators who spoke, commended Goje for the motion but also listed a series of federal roads in their various constituencies begging for urgent attention in terms of rehabilitation and even re-construction .
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola representing Ogun West, in his contribution, however clarified that allocation for the N4.2 trillion Coastal road projects was not done on zonal basis.
“The N4.2 trillion coastal road projects strictly covers the Badagary – Sokoto and Lagos – Calabar Coastal roads .
“For the existing road projects across the country , Mr President has set aside N500billon for continued rehabilitation work without exclusion of any zone”, he said
The President of the Senate, Goodwill Akpabio, in his remarks, said until Nigeria has a serious road map for constant rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across the country, the issue of road deplorability in the country will remain.
Politics
The leadership of the House of Representatives has issued an ultimatum to Arise Television News, and its anchor, Reuben Abati over an alleged derogatory comment about lawmakers’ activities.

Published
20 hours agoon
February 14, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The House gave the television station and Abati 24 hours to apologise for their comment on the proposal for the creation of additional 31 states from different regions of the nation.
Addressing members of the Green Chamber under the matters of privilege, Donald Ojogo who represents Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency alleged that the privilege of lawmakers of the House have been breached by Abati and Arise TV.
In a viral video while anchoring one of the television’s programmes, Abati referred to the lawmakers’ proposal to create additional states as “stupid” and “idiotic”.
Reacting over the utterances of the former presidential aide, Ojogo said Abati’s remark is unfortunate, uncultured, and baseless assertion that has undermined the integrity of House.
The lawmaker also described Abati’s remarks as unprofessional and laden with arrogance and ignorance of facts and a betrayal to journalistic ethics.
He said, “Such vulgarity and lack of decorum are not only unacceptable but an affront to this Honourable House and the dignity of its members.
“While this House upholds the principles of freedom of speech and press freedom, we must emphasise that such rights come with responsibilities.
Freedom of speech is not a licence for the dissemination of falsehoods, the distortion of facts, or the promotion of indecency and disrespect in the public sphere,” the lawmaker state

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