Politics

ISIALA MBANO AGOG, AS ACHONU VISITS, PROMISES TO OVERHAUL EDUCATION SECTOR, ENHANCE SECURITY, TRANFORM IMO CARGO AIRPORT FOR MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2023

…as High Chief Stanley Ojukwu and his supporters decamp from PDP to Labour Party, pledges total support for the #TakeBackImo project

There was a massive turnout yesterday as the Labour Party campaign train of Sen Athan Achonu arrived Isiala Mbano Local Government Area.

The mammoth crowd matched with Senator Athan Achonu to the campaign venue at Ugiri Mbano chanting “holy to the land, Athan Achonu is another savior”

Speaking, the leading Governorship Candidate in the November 11th, 2023 Imo Governorship election reiterated his pledge to guarantee full Local Government Autonomy and conduct credible Local Government elections, once elected and inaugurated as the governor of Imo State.

He condemned the state of infrastructure in Isiala Mbano and blamed the APC government for allegedly deducting 91 million naira monthly from the Local Government allocation meant for Isiala Mbano and other Local government areas in Imo State. A sum that amounts to about 2.5 billion naira monthly.

Achonu berated the government for not investing the fund in the locality. He expressed shock saying “if this monies were left with the Local Governments, they will translate to meaningful development, leading to more jobs, and reduced insecurity at the Local Government level and in communities.”

Speaking on education, he said that for any economy to thrive and society grow, then the people must be well educated. No society succeeds in ignorance, hence he promised to make huge investment in education as currently the sector is poorly administered by visionoess politicians. He said that before the emergence of Senator Uzodimma, Imo ranked 3rd in education out of 36 states Nigeria, but today ranks 34th.

Recall that Senator Achonu’s top priority in his agenda for Imo is the engagement and retention of highly qualified teaching personnel; provision of safe and conducive teaching and learning environments; and overhaul of the Education Ministry to ensure that it can drive the machinery necessary to achieve set teaching and learning standards. According to him, reinvigoration of the Educational Inspectorate Division to monitor compliance with standards in the sector is a task that must be accomplished.

Speaking further, he assured Ndi Isiala Mbano that he would build 2 industrial parks in the Okigwe Zone. A Ceramic Products Park and an Agricultural Hub to boost the economy, create jobs, and enhance rural development.

Sen Athan Achonu said that Ndi Imo needs someone who has a CV and has a job known to all Imolites as their governor.
He challenged Gov Uzodinma to show Ndi Imo his private business, no matter how little even if is a cocoyam farm.

The LP governorship candidate restated his commitment to transform the Sam Mbakwe Int’l Cargo Airport into a functional world class regional cargo hub. “As the Governor of Imo State come Nov 11th I will unlock the Sam Mbakwe Int’l Cargo Airport to function optimally as an Int’l Cargo Hub in West Africa which will in turn create massive wealth and employment to Imolites.”

On security, Senator Achonu wept for what has befallen Imo State in the last 45 months. He narrated his visit to Okigwe LGA where 19 houses were burnt to ashes, helpless women rendered homeless and people chased away from their inherited lands. He promised Okigwe and Orlu zones that when elected the governor, he would immediately stop all manner of killings, bloodshed, and wanton destruction of properties.

Concluding, he called on the people of Isiala Mbano to come out en-mass on November 11 to vote for the Labour Party assuring that there will be massive security everywhere to protect the voters and their votes.

The rally witnessed the reception of High Chief Stanley Ojukwu, an Apex Leader in PDP and his supporters from the to the Labour Party.

Chief Ojukwu while speaking pledged to mobilize the entire Ugiri for Athan Achonu and assured his people that Imo State will be well again after November 11 when Sen Athan Achonu must have emerged as the Governor of Imo State.

In the same manner, Chief Martin Emereonye and his men who were followers of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume openly threw their political weight behind Senator Athan Achonu and the Labour Party.

Hon Chukwuka Agwunobi while speaking pointed out that the Labour Party Governorship Candidate Sen Athan Achonu has the willpower and capacity to #TakeBackImo.

He described Sen Athan Achonu as a leader with strong ethical persuasion, very high impeccable moral stamina who has the courage and frontier spirit to unlock the state’s potential and create a society premised on rationality, integrity, progress, and development that will usher in true prosperity in Imo State.

The Duke as he’s fondly called in unison with Ndi Isiala Mbano declared that today’s rally is just to fulfill all righteousness as the Labour Party’s win in Isiala Mbano is guaranteed.

The rally has in attendance party leaders and dignitaries including Lolo Aisha Chiamaka Achonu, Wife of Senator Achonu; Hon. Chime Nzeribe, DG. Sen. Athan Achonu Campaign Organization; Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Member FHR & Chairman Labour Party Campaign Council; Barr. Calistus Ihejiagwa, Chairman, Labour Party Imo State; Mrs Oluchi Okpara, Nat’l Treasurer Labour Party; Hon. Stanley Nzekwe, Deputy DG, Sen. Athan Achonu Campaign Organization; and Hon. Jeff Ojinika, Secretary Labour Party Campaign Council. Also, in attendance were Dr. David Mbamara, Hon Jasper Ndubuaku, Chief Chukwuma Ezeihuaku (Ezege Okwelle), Hon Chukwuka Agwunobi (Sir Duke), Hon. Ezenna Okoro, Chief Martin Emereonye, Chief Stanley Ojukwu, Zonal leadership of the Party led by their Zonal Chairmen, Members of the Sen Athan Achonu Campaign Organization, Labour Party LGA Chairmen, and Labour Party faithful.

Politics

Expose June 12 conspirators or face legal action – SERAP to Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Bola Tinubu to back up his Democracy Day rhetoric with defensive action by addressing the lingering injustices in Nigeria’s democratic history, especially, the landmark June 12, 1993 presidential election.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday, signed by the group’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP urged President Tinubu to set up a presidential panel of inquiry to investigate the annulment of the election on June 12 and uncover those who are behind what is described as the “deliberate violations of Nigerians democratic freedoms.”

The organization stated that not minding the political position of individuals found responsible, they should be brought to justice through Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

SERAP also urged the president to instruct Fagbemi to urgently draft and present an executive bill to the National Assembly seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022, specifically to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and grant all voters access to election documents.

The group argued that this would enhance electoral transparency, prevent manipulation, and help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The organisation called on the president to immediately halt all prosecutions and drop charges against Nigerians currently detained or facing trial simply for exercising their rights to peaceful protest and free expression.

“Your Democracy Day speech conveyed a commitment to freedom, transparent and accountable governance, and social justice,” the letter stated.

“However, such commitments will ring hollow unless your government takes concrete action to end impunity for past violations, enforce electoral reforms, and guarantee democratic freedoms.”

SERAP emphasised that there is no statute of limitations on violations of democratic rights, and that achieving the ideals of June 12 is impossible without accountability and systemic reforms.

It warned that the failure to prosecute those responsible for the June 12 annulment has entrenched a culture of impunity, encouraging continued subversion of elections and political rights in Nigeria.

“Amending the Electoral Act to mandate electronic transmission of results and ensuring open access to electoral documents are essential to delivering credible elections,” the group stated. “It will also allow voters to verify the integrity of electoral outcomes.”

The organisation also demanded a review of laws undermining freedom of expression.

It asked the president to push for the repeal or amendment of repressive statutes, including the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation and falsehood laws in the Criminal and Penal Codes, which have been used to silence journalists, critics, and dissenters.

SERAP raised concern over the growing trend of strategic lawsuits against public participation, noting that the legal tactics, often backed by politicians and security agencies are being used to harass and intimidate Nigerians peacefully expressing their views.

“Your administration’s obligation under the Constitution, your oath of office, and Nigeria’s international human rights commitments requires you to dismantle structures of repression and safeguard democratic freedoms,” SERAP wrote.

The group gave the president a seven-day deadline to begin implementing its recommendations, failing which it vowed to initiate legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.

While acknowledging the president’s recent pledges to deepen democracy and expand civic space, SERAP insisted that only concrete reforms, not lofty speeches, can truly honour the legacy of June 12 and move Nigeria towards a just and free society.

Politics

Ekiti: PDP stakeholders vow to salvage party, win governorship election

Published

14 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti North Senatorial District have resolved to commit themselves to the survival and the success of the party in the 2026 governorship election in the state.

The party stakeholders made the declaration on Wednesday at a stakeholders meeting held at Ido Ekiti, in Ido Osi LGA.

Speaking at the parley, the convener of the meeting and former PDP senatorial candidate in the 2023 National Assembly election, Mr. Funso Ayeni said he convened the party leaders in the senatorial district to talk to them and as well intimate them about the ongoings in the party.

“It is to also motivate them that they should go back home and remain strong as we prepare for elections to come.

“PDP is my party, the party is strong, and I believe at every point in time there should be unity of purpose. I believe there should be shared value.

“For us, the only thing we can give back to this party is to make sure that it doesn’t die, the party is alive in our present time.

“As you are aware, INEC has released the timetable for our election next year. Election is coming very soon, so as a party we must continue to come together, press together, and then ensure that we are ready for elections to come.

“This is where the majority of the vote is coming from in the next election. I believe this is the time to start mobilizing and galvanizing our people towards making their votes count.Their votes cannot count if you don’t talk to them. And we are talking to ourselves in preparation for that,” he said.

On challenges confronting the party at the national and the state levels, about five months to the governorship primaries, the PDP chieftain said, “So if I may ask, is there any party that has no internal challenges? There is none. So of course, we can talk about the degree of the challenges.

“I believe the National Working Committee is doing essentially what is required for us to be on the track again.

“I believe soon, the party will be able to overcome such internal challenges. There is a series of meetings going on, it is not about me. The party organ that is responsible for that is attending to it, I’m quite confident that all issues will be resolved. And in no distant time, the party will get its direction and then we’re able to face the election.”

On whether the party have any chance to dislodge the ruling APC, Ayeni said: “There is nobody that is happy about the ruling party at the moment, the entire nation is in disarray. Are we saying Ekiti is different from other people that are buying their petrol at how much they are buying it?

“Are we saying the roads in Ekiti are so beautiful now that everybody is happy? Are we saying the economic prosperity in Ekiti is something to write home about? If you believe that everything is not working, it’s as good as anybody in this government can be easily dislodged.

“What I’m saying now is that you have pushed people to the wall. People are not protesting, but they want to protest with their votes. The earlier they know that, the better. People want leadership that can actually manage the challenges that we have at hand. Hungry people on the street, roaming about the street, no work. How has the government been able to industrialize the state? How has the government been able to empower the youths? Our youths are riding okada, are we all happy with that? Those are the issues and they are going to manifest in the vote of the people come June 20, 2026.

“What you have also seen is that people are keeping quiet because the power belongs to them and the power indeed belongs to the people. And when it belongs to the people, they have the mandate to use, and they are going to use it when it comes to that election.

“This is not about me. I have the strong belief that the party that should even be worried now is the APC because they have not done well.

“When you see me now calling on my senatorial district to talk to people, it is to intimate them about the ongoings in the party. It is to also motivate them that they should go back home and remain strong as we prepare for elections to come.”

Politics

Rivers: You can’t join APC through backdoor, window – Okocha warns Fubara

Published

1 day ago

June 15, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has cautioned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, on the possibility of defecting to the party.

Okocha said Fubara can’t join the APC through the back door, and must go through the laid down procedures.

Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, Okocha said Fubara must join the APC from the ward level.

He said, “Just like every other Nigerian, he is at liberty to join any political party. That is the law. But, I say anybody, not restricted to the governor, the suspended governor anyway, anybody who wants to join the APC should enter the party through the door, not through the window.

“You have to go to your ward to enroll because your name as a member of the party cannot be found at the national secretariat except it comes from your ward. That is the proper door, that is the proper process.”

Fubara is currently serving a six month suspension following a state of emergency declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.

Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly due to the political crisis in the state.

The President appointed a Sole Administrator to preside over the state during the period of his suspension.

The crisis began shortly after Fubara became governor, following a disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the control of political resources in the state.

The crisis quickly degenerated into the bombing of the State House of Assembly and the sponsoring of the factionalization of the legislative arm in the state.

Despite Tinubu’s intervention for peace, the crisis persisted, and to prevent it from snowballing into a security outbreak, the President suspended the governor.

Since his suspension, Fubara has met with Tinubu and Wike in an effort to reconcile with all relevant stakeholders in the state.