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Igbo Apex Body Lobbies Tinubu, NASS for Anioma State

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Ekwutosblog has gathered that as the prominent apex socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo Nation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is pleased to announce the initiation of deliberate and constructive consultative meetings with pivotal stakeholders and leaders across Nigeria, following our initial engagements over the past weekend. Our unequivocal aim is to advocate for the creation of Anioma State, an initiative steeped in historical significance, economic potential, and the overarching goal of unity within the Igbo community.

The choice to pursue the creation of Anioma State has been made after profound and selfless contemplation, reflecting on the sacrifices and patriotism exhibited by the Anioma people during the Nigeria-Biafra War. The necessity of unifying the Igbo Nation cannot be overstated; indeed, it transcends the self-serving agendas often perpetuated by political elites, who have been notably unsettled by the widespread endorsement of the Anioma State Movement by various Igbo constituents and stakeholders.

Our commitment to the creation of Anioma State is firmly rooted in the Igbo belief that the collective interests of our people far outweigh any individual aspirations. This united front is essential for our continued progress and representation in the geopolitical sphere of Nigeria.

To bring clarity to our campaign, we must highlight that on September 28, 2023, Ohanaeze Ndigbo constituted a dedicated seven-member ad-hoc committee on State Creation, led by the distinguished Professor Chibuikeya Achokawa. This committee has meticulously reviewed the previous recommendations regarding state creation, particularly the proposal for Aba State, which was articulated in 2017. The findings of this review underscored the reasons behind the earlier unimplemented recommendations, linked primarily to the oversight in presenting the Aba State proposal to former President Muhammadu Buhari—a leader who was amenable to granting the Southeast an additional state to equalize our representation with that of the South-South, Southwest, North Central, and Northeast zones within Nigeria’s federal framework.

It is with great regret that we acknowledge how erstwhile political maneuverings within our ranks have impeded our progress. The miscalculations by former President General Nnia Nwodo, which favored the clandestine interests of a select cabal, resulted in the significant setback of losing the opportunity for Aba State. However, with the current momentum behind the creation of Anioma State, we remain hopeful that this path will ultimately lead us back to a conversation about Aba State in the future.

For the record, Professor Achokawa’s committee has engaged in a year-long process of study, dialogue, and consultation. On November 25, 2024, they presented a well-researched report recommending the establishment of two additional states for the Southeast—Anioma State being the foremost priority, followed closely by Aba State. We now look to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lend his support and endorsement to this significant endeavor.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, confirmed that our organization has commenced consultations with influential leaders and supporters of President Tinubu from the Southwest, aimed at building a coalition to advocate for the creation of two additional states for the Southeast, alongside proposals for one new state for each of the other geopolitical zones. This lobbying effort began on November 7, 2024, and will extend through a series of engagements with the Presidency, the 10th National Assembly, and key traditional and political leaders across various regions, concluding our nationwide consultations by December 31, 2024.

We wish to impart a firm warning to any political elites who may seek to hinder our resolve or sow discord within our ranks. The move to adopt Anioma State is both necessary and irreversible, and we urge those in opposition—who are in the minority—not to stand in the way of progress for the greater good of the Igbo Nation. This initiative is predicated on merit and the collective aspirations of our constituents, free from the taint of personal considerations.

As we embark on this path towards greater representation and unity, we encourage all Igbo stakeholders to lend their voices and support. Let us stand together, as one, in the pursuit of our shared destiny.

SIGNED:

MAZI OKECHUKWU ISIGUZORO
SECRETARY GENERAL
OHANAEZE NDIGBO

PROF. CHIBUIKEYA ACHOKAWA
CHAIRMAN
OHANAEZE COMMITTEE ON STATE CREATION

CHIEF ALEXANDER OKEMIRI
SECRETARY
OHANAEZE COMMITTEE ON STATE CREATION

Politics

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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