Politics

IMO AT 50: KNOWING THE FOUR WISEMEN FROM THE EAST, WHO MADE IT HAPPEN ON FEBRUARY 3, 1976.

Published

2 months ago

February 2, 2026

BY: SAM. ONWUEMEODO.

The creation of lmo State on February 3, 1976, by the administration of Murtala Mohammed was not a case of happenstance. It didn’t just happen. It was not an accident of history. It didn’t happen by omission. It was as a result of high level patriotism,commitment, dedication, astuteness, oneness and concerted efforts of four great men of history . I had called them, four wisemen from the East.

Like in every venture, the revelation or the dream must be given to someone to unveil or drive or superintend. And the way the person handles the revelation or the dream, would ultimately determine whether the dream would translate into reality or not. Whether it would bear the expected fruit or not. To fly or not.

The revelation or the dream of having lmo State created out of East Central State was given to Hon. Ambrose Olumba Onyewuchi. An Orji man. A renowned educationist and then member of Eastern House of Assembly. He was also a Commissioner in the then Sam. Mbakwe administration.

Hon. Onyewuchi didn’t allow the dream to die in him. He shared it with Justice Duke Njiribeako, an astute lawyer and Jurist. A prominent Owerri man with much oil in his head. Highly influential and he bought into the idea. They agreed to bring Chief RBK Okafor from Oguta and Chief Stephen E. Onukogu, fromNgwoma also in today’s Owerri North Local Government. Both of them, also highly respected and extremenly influential. RBK Okafor was a member of the House of Representatives. He later became the Deputy National Chairman of the Nigeria Peoples Party, NPP and also its State Chairman respectively. He was too dogged. Chief Stephen .E. Onukogu, an outstanding leader, with far-reaching influence. He was the Chairman of Nzuko Umu Owerri and also Chairman, Eastern Conference of Chiefs. These positions made him a sine qua non in the project of having a new State created out of East Central State. He later became the monarch or King of his Ngwoma Community. He reaped where he had sown. These were the four founding fathers of lmo State. Onyewuchi, Njiribeako, Okafor and Onukogu. May their great souls continue to rest in the bossom of the LORD, Amen.

These four great men had their first meeting at the residence of Njiribeako, at No. 85 Tetlow Road Owerri. After the first meeting, they continued to meet and most of the times, at the residence of Onukogu at Ngwoma. They were meeting once a month, but later, very often.

In one of their meetings, they agreed to have a body under which to pursue their dream. And on February 17, 1970 they came up with, IMO STATE CREATION MOVEMENT.

At this stage, having kept the ball rolling, these great men decided to enlarge the membership of the MOVEMENT. They began to invite or recruit men with capacity. Men with the needed clout and candour from Okigwe, Owerri, Orlu, Umuahia, Ngwa, and Aba provinces.

They were able to bring in Chief Sam. Mbakwe, Chief Elijah Ekezie, Barr. Ferdinand Ukatta, Chief H.P Udom, Chief Jaja Nwachukwu, Chief Cosmas Egole, Hon. Zacheus Nwosu, Dr. B. U Nzeribe, Eze Dennis Abii, Eze Egole, Eze Obiefule, Chief Amaefula Ikoro, Barr. Adighije, Chief Moses Onwumah, Chief Onwudiwe, Chief Nzerem, Chief Elijah Okezie, Chief Aguguo and others.

Two men, George Wigwe and Bernard Amalaha, lecturers at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, were mentioned in one of their meetings. Wigwe was a Geography lecturer at the University and Amalaha, a Cartographer. Chief Onukogu suggested that Onyewuchi and Njiribeako should travel to Nsukka to meet with Wigwe and Amalaha and brief them on what was at stake. At the end of the parley, the two Scholars agreed to join the moving train. Agreed to join the laudable project. They were coming from Nsukka for the meetings of the Movement until 1974 when the duo, in the glaring spirit of patriotism and the burning urge or desire to be part of history left UNN together to pick appointments at Alvan lkoku College of Education, Owerri. And the reason was to enable them be closer to where the action was. Where it was happening. They were assigned a specific role. The role of coming up with a graph of the areas that would form or make up the proposed lmo State. The population, the boundaries, the economic considerations and so on. It should also be recalled that this Dr. Amalaha was later elected with Chief Sam. Mbakwe in 1979 as Deputy Governor. But the Court later removed him on the ground that he didn’t resign when he was supposed to resign.

These men wrote and sent a letter to the then administrator of East Central State, Mr. Ukpabi Asika, informing him about the birth of the MOVEMENT FOR THE CREATION OF IMO STATE. Asika was not pleased with the development. And he gave his reason which could also be considered reasonable. He didn’t want a split of the East Central State. He argued that the lgbo just came out of the Civil war and should avoid any move that would create further reservation against them.

With Asika’s response, these apostles behind the Movement for the creation of lmo State began to have their meetings and activities underground. Behind closed doors.

They had agreed that the new State should include, Owerri, Okigwe, Orlu, Umuahia, Bende and Aba divisions. They also agreed that the Capital should be Owerri. A formal application or letter for the creation of lmo State out of the East Central State, with Owerri as the Capital was drafted by Njiribeako, Wigwe and Amalaha and submitted to General Yakubu Gowon’s administration.

Unfortunately, on July 29, 1975, Gowon was overthrown as the Head of State. Murtala Mohammed was named his successor or replacement. These great men remained stoic and undeterred. They remained resolute. They kept both faith and fate alive. And with GOD on their side, in his first broadcast, the new Head of State, Mohammed announced that those wishing to have new States should submit their documents to that effect. These men of idea jumped into action with renewed zeal. They began from where they had stopped under Gowon.

There was no point talking about the minor agitation by those from Aba province. That was expected in a movement or project of that nature. Law of self preservation. It was about the Capital of the expected new State. The agitation was not disruptive. It was not damaging. It didn’t stop the moving train.

The new Head of State, Mohammed, had set up the Justice Ayo lrikefe led Panel to look into applications for the creation of new States and also hear from those who had applied.

These men of immense courage appeared before Justice lrikefe Panel and made their submissions. Sam. Mbakwe made the presentation and he was at his best. He had spoken under annointing so much so that, nobody was in doubt that lmo State was to be created. It was a superb outing. And GOD took his GLORY.

To cut the long story short, on February 3, 1976, Murtala Mohammed, in a national broadcast, announced the creation of seven new States and lmo was among them. With Owerri as the Capital and with nineteen local Governments. The local Governments were; Afikpo, Oguta, Nkwerre, Mbano, Mbaise, Bende, Aro-Chuku, Umuahia, Okigwe, Orlu, Oru, Mbaitoli/lkeduru, Etiti,Ohafia, Northern Ngwa, Owerri, Aba, and Ukwa. Lt. Commander Ndubuisi Kanu was announced the pioneer administrator of the new State. In all, It was a celebration galore in the respective homes of all the great men involved and in all the areas that were parts of the brand new lmo State. Men with capacity. Men with vision, passion, mission and compassion for their people. Blessed assurance.

Ten days after the creation of lmo State, to be precise, on February 13, 1976, Murtala Mohammed was assassinated in a bloody coup led by Lt. Col. B.S Dimka. Lt. General Olusegun Obasanjo replaced him. And to the Glory of GOD, Obasanjo didn’t cancel or annul the new States created by Mohammed. He sustained them.

On tuesday, February 3, 2026, the lmo State that was created in 1976 would be fifty years. And with the joy of the LORD in our hearts, it is advisable that the kind of Spirit with which Ambrose Olumba Onyewuchi, Duke Njiribeako, Stephen .E Onukogu, RBK Okafor, Sam. Mbakwe, Eze Dennis Abii, Bernard Amalaha, George Wigwe, Dr. B.U Nzeribe, Amaefula lkoro, Barr. F.E Ukatta, Eze Ugochukwu, Chief Nzerem, Barr. Adighije, Chief Moses Onwumah and others, pursued and achieved this awesome feat, would remain in all the indigenes of the State who are alive today to witness or partake in the 50th Year anniversary of this great achievement.
While we shall continue to clap for Jesus.

Many thanks Sam. This is a must read for every IMOLITE.

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Politics

Declare Abaribe’s seat vacant, Abia APGA tells Senate

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

March 20, 2026

The All Progressives Grand Alliance in Abia State has called on the Senate to declare the seat of the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, vacant following his resignation from the party.

The party made the call on Thursday during a press briefing in Umuahia, where its leadership, led by a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Obinna Ichita, insisted that Abaribe voluntarily resigned from APGA and was not sacked, contrary to his claim at the Senate.

Ichita argued that Abaribe’s exit from the party that sponsored his election violates constitutional provisions, stressing that there was no leadership crisis within APGA to justify his defection.

“The senator resigned in his ward. He did so voluntarily, which is his right. However, if you leave the party that gave you the platform for another party when there is no leadership crisis, that seat must be declared vacant,” he said.

He further alleged that Abaribe misrepresented the circumstances of his exit by claiming he was sacked.

“The party has documentary evidence to show that Senator Abaribe was not sacked. He resigned three months after disciplinary measures were taken against him over actions the court did not consider appropriate,” Ichita added.

According to him, the mandate belongs to the people and the party, not the individual office holder.

“They gave him the mandate on the platform of APGA, not any other party. There was nothing like ADC when he was elected. He cannot take the mandate elsewhere without consulting the people who gave it to him,” he said.

Ichita maintained that the constitution is clear on defection, noting that any lawmaker who leaves a party without a valid internal crisis must vacate the seat.

“My message to Senator Abaribe is to honourably vacate the seat instead of waiting for the National Assembly to declare it vacant. That would amount to national embarrassment,” he added.

Also speaking, the APGA State Chairman, Sunday Onukwubiri, and the party’s Public Relations Officer, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, reiterated that Abaribe had distanced himself from the party’s activities at various levels in the state.

They insisted that he neither holds dual membership nor was he expelled, maintaining that his resignation was voluntary.

“He was invited by the party but failed to appear and was subsequently suspended in line with the party’s constitution. Three months later, he resigned,” the officials said.

Reacting, Abaribe defended his position, insisting that he acted within his constitutional rights.

“When you are no longer a member of a party by virtue of being sent away, you have the fundamental right of association to join another party,” he said.

He argued that his indefinite suspension by APGA effectively amounted to expulsion.

“If a party places you on indefinite suspension for more than six months, what does that mean? It means you have been told to go elsewhere, and that is exactly what I did,” he stated.

The senator added that the proper constitutional procedure for removing him from office would be through a recall process by his constituents.

“If the people who elected me no longer want me, the right thing to do is to initiate a recall. That is the position of the law,” he said.

Politics

Tinubu’s Reforms May Be Challenging, but They’ve Boosted Nigeria’s Global Respect — Information Minister Mohammed Idris

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stated that Nigeria is receiving greater respect internationally under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Friday after attending Jumaat prayers at Yahaya Road Mosque in Kaduna, Mr Idris said, “Nigeria is indeed taking its rightful place. The country is respected more than ever before on the international scene. The reforms that the president has instituted, as challenging as they are, are meant for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

He urged Nigerians to stay calm as the government continues its efforts to restore security across the nation. Referring to the recent multiple b%mb att@cks in Maiduguri, Borno State, the minister assured that such incidents would not be allowed to recur.

“Indeed, our country is facing challenges, and the government is working tirelessly to ensure security throughout Nigeria. We have seen what has happened, particularly in Borno State. We pray to Allah to make this the last one, as the government is committed to preventing any repetition of such incidents,” he said.

Mr Idris also stressed the importance of citizens being prayerful and working together to address the country’s challenges. He encouraged both Muslims and non-Muslims to unite in the interest of Nigeria’s growth and development.

“This is a time for reflection for all Nigerians. We pray that everyone will consider this moment and recognize the need for unity, progress, and national development. All hands must be on deck for the unity of the country. As we earn respect internationally, we also hope and pray that unity will strengthen within our nation,” he added.

Politics

Imo APC Releases List of State, LGA, Ward Party Executive Committee Members

Published

2 days ago

March 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

By Dan Opara

Following the successful conduct of the Imo State APC Congress held in Owerri, Imo State, on March 3rd, 2026, the leadership of the party has officially released the list of victorious candidates who emerged from the exercise.

The announcement, made on Friday, March 20th, 2026, came 17 days after the Congress, as gathered by ThePressman Newspaper.

According to the released list, Chief Austin Onyedebelu emerged as the Imo State APC Chairman, while Arc. Allen Enwerem was elected as the State Deputy Chairman. Hon. Onyekachi Ibezim secured the position of State Secretary, alongside 33 other members who now constitute the State Party Executive Committee, including Ex-Officio members in Imo State.

In addition, the leadership of the ruling APC across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State has also been announced.

The Ward Party Executive Committee Members for the 305 wards are, however, yet to be fully confirmed.
Below is the comprehensive list of the All Progressives Congress State Executive Committee Members for Imo State, including their respective telephone numbers.

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS
STATE: IMO STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

State Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, 08033101685.

State Deputy Chairman, Arc. Allen Enwerem, 08036301966.

State Secretary, Hon. Onyekachi Ibezim, 08033416291.

State Assistant Secretary, Nzenwa Nwoju, 08037717167.

State Zonal Vice Chairman I, Hon. Frank Onyejiaka, 0803314564.

State Zonal Vice Chairman II, Justice Ogu, 08072079223.

State Zonal Vice Chairman III, Dan Chike Ogu, 08037894168.

State Legal Adviser, Barr. Onyeme Promise, 08061526970.

State Assistant Legal Adviser, Barr. Godwin N. Chukwukere, 08033310076.

State Treasurer, Dr. Ben Uwakem, 08033408703.

State Assistant Treasurer, Emenike Uzo, 08098048483.

State Financial Secretary, Rex Onyemara, 07060608457.

State Assistant Financial Secretary, Engr. Innocent Obidike, 08033288662

State Organizing Secretary, Okey Ezuruike, 08033411574.

State Assistant Organizing Secretary, Mrs. Tina Anya, 08068818358.

State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, 08064483254.

State Assistant Publicity Secretary, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, 08135047154.

State Welfare Secretary, Chinyere Ofurum Sandra, 08069738781.

State Assistant Welfare Secretary, Cecilia Okafor, 08032462478.

State Auditor, Hon. Dan Ikpeazu, 08033263444.

State Assistant Auditor, Hon. Charles Nnorom, 08164341068.

State Woman Leader, Mrs. Ify Obi, 08060850990.

State Assistant Woman Leader, Mrs. Egondu Ewelike, 08089134418.

State Youth Leader, Hon. Franklin Chukwuemeka, 08097123456.

State Assistant Youth Leader, Hon. Innocent Onwuemenyi.

State Special (PCL), Dr. Samuelson Emehibe, 0803902102.

State Senatorial Youth Leader I, Anele Joseph, 08037794751.

State Senatorial Youth Leader II, Chris Ike, 08036034727.

State Senatorial Youth Leader III, Ifeanyi Nwannenna, 08020988164.

State Senatorial Women Leader I, Mrs. Iheako O. Elizabeth.

State Senatorial Women Leader II, Lady Martina Okere, 08036689003.

State Senatorial Women Leader III, Mrs. Franca Onuoha.

State Ex Officio I, Henry Oguguo, 08035001354.

State Ex Officio II, Hon. Alban Amasiatu, 08060564561.

State Ex Officio III, Chukwuma Onyedindere, 08037756307.

State Ex Officio IV, Chief Monday Ikokwu, 08086803626.

Meanwhile, the leadership structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has been duly constituted, with officials elected across the State, Local Government Area, and Ward levels, reflecting a comprehensive and well-organized party framework.

At the Local Government Area level, notable individuals have emerged as party chairmen in various LGAs.

In Owerri West LGA, Mr. Chikadibia Okpe, was elected as the APC Local Government Chairman.

Similarly, in Orlu LGA, Mr. Ejike Iberame, emerged as the duly elected Party Chairman, while in Oguta LGA, Mr. Obed Onyebuchi, was elected as the APC Chairman, alongside 24 LGA Party Chairmen, to further strengthening the party’s grassroots leadership.

These developments extend across other Local Government Areas and wards, where Party Chairmen and Ward Chairmen have also been elected to provide leadership and coordination at their respective levels.

The successful emergence of party executives at the State, LGA, and Ward levels underscores the APC’s commitment to internal democracy, effective organization, and sustained grassroots mobilization across Imo State.

The release of the list marks a significant step in consolidating the party’s structure across the state, as the newly elected executives are expected to steer the affairs of the APC in Imo State moving forward.