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Next Imo governor to emerge by consensus, says ex-Minister

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Erstwhile Minister of Interior and retired Merchant Navy Captain, Emmanuel Iheanacho, has disclosed that the Imo Harmony Project (IHP) is working round the clock to ensure orderliness in the leadership recruitment in Imo State.

He noted that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, IHP and other groups rooting for equity in the distribution of political positions through zoning, are in agreement that the rotation of the office of the governor is necessary to sustain peace, harmony, and development.

Iheanacho, who spoke to select journalists, on Monday, explained that the single agenda of the Imo Harmony Project is to bring all stakeholders to agree that the next governor of the state hails from Owerri zone, adding that so far the argument is enjoying widespread acceptance.

He remarked that the challenge of developing a governance blueprint belongs to the core politicians, maintaining that IHP is a non-partisan movement focused on peaceful leadership recruitment that eliminates rancour and violence after elections.

As to whether the IHP could end up as the covert structure to feather the electoral cap of any of the protagonists, Iheanacho, who contested the governorship in 2015, declared: “If anybody within IHP has an ambition and we have actually seen ourselves, people who have ambitions to become governor from IHP.

“We will tell them when the time comes you have to break out and go and set up a structure and then bring the resources, do your campaign. If you are accepted, you’ve won.”

He disclosed that the group has also met with Governor Uzodimma to explain the rationale for the adoption of a charter of equity, pointing out that the governor was very receptive to the proposition.

The retired Captain explained that despite initial misgivings by some Imo politicians, the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has proved skeptics wrong by the quality of infrastructure projects his administration embarked upon.

“So, the future of Imo politics is to ensure seamless development. I spoke about the quality of the infrastructure that the governor has committed himself to. And I said, flowing from that, we are hoping that he will move forward and develop a proper economy,” he said.

“What I meant by developing a proper economy? If you know what has happened since 1999 to all the governments in all the states, if you win the election to become the governor, you have become rich beyond your wildest dreams, because the money that is given to the state from the centre absolutely belongs to you. Officially that is not the case.

“But in reality, governors do whatever they like. And we haven’t seen anybody who has been interdicted or prosecuted for spending money the way that they like. So, what I said was that it would be nice for the governor to move from a situation where he is building all those infrastructures from monies that are given from the centre, to one where we actually develop an economy.”

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Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.

“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.

Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.

“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.

According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.

The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.

The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.

It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.

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Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

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Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.

Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.

“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.

“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.

“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”

Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.

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I consulted for 6 months before dumping PDP for APC – Gov Eno

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In an interview with Channels Television, the governor said his state can’t be in the opposition after producing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

He said: “I consulted for six months before moving, I didn’t just wake up and decided to move. We have stayed in the opposition for so many years.

“There are enormous benefits to align with the centre. First of all, we have a Senate President in this country who is from here and we have to give him the support to be able to help.

“We can’t have the Senate President in another party and we are here in the opposition, you know how politics plays out here, it will keep weeping up sentiments.”

The new APC member said he believes in the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Tinubu is making much efforts towards repositioning the economy, which was in a bad shape when he assumed office.

“Two, I believe in the programme of Tinubu – this economy was battered and we were really low by the time he took over power.

“We have seen the efforts he is making, the reforms he is making and he should have our support.

 

“States governments, I speak for Akwa Ibom have benefitted from those reforms and is why we are able to have the funds to do what we are doing.

“If somebody is doing well, you say he is doing well and if he is not doing well we say he is not doing well.

“If I can see him and discuss our issues and he listens to our issues and helps us where he can, why should I work against the President?”

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