Politics

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

Published

3 months ago

April 3, 2025

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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Politics

Buhari: He sent DSS to my house at midnight, I’m still alive – Igboho

Published

10 hours ago

July 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has reacted to the death of former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Igboho in a viral video, recounted how the former president allegedly ordered officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, to invade his residence at midnight.

Igboho, who claimed that the invasion was aimed at taking him out, also alleged that the former president colluded with some Yoruba indigenes.

He said, “I thank God for my life today, see life! The man that sent DSS to come and kill me in the middle of the night on July 4th 2021 has died today.

“My people, we are supposed to learn from this. That man, Muhammadu Buhari is dead, but I’m alive today. I thank God for my life.

“The man that ganged up with some stupid Yoruba people came to my house to take my life but God said no”.

Ekwutosblog reports that the former Nigerian leader died on Sunday in London after a brief illness.

His remains are expected to arrive in the country for immediate burial in Daura, Katsina state on Monday.

Politics

Constitution Amendment: Niger Govt submits proposal

Published

10 hours ago

July 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Niger State Government has submitted a joint document to the House Committee on Constitution Review containing the state’s collective views and recommendations on key areas.

The areas include restructuring, devolution of powers, state policing, fiscal federalism, local government autonomy, and electoral process.

The position of the state was presented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mu’azu during the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for the North Central Zone, Centre A, covering Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States in Minna.

The Commissioner explained that the document was developed after broad consultations and stakeholder engagement across the state.

Mu’azu also noted that the state government had made a case for additional creation of local government areas in the state while expressing optimism that the document will be given due consideration

The House Committee Consultant, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, who presented the summarised compendium of bills before the House, disclosed that it has some thematic areas based on evolving needs, which are electoral, judicial, legislative, and physical reform

“Others are inclusive governance, security and policing, devolution of powers, strengthening of institutions, the role of rural communities, traditional institutions, citizenship and Indigineship, fundamental rights, and many more,” Okafor said.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of traditional rulers, Alh Yahaya Abubakar, on behalf of the National Council of Traditional Rulers also submitted a memo on the Constitution amendment centred on creating roles for traditional rulers on matters involving religion, culture, security, and justice, among others.

Presentations for the creation of Edu State comprising Bida, Lapai and Agaie Emirates, and the Kainji State consist of Borgu and Kontagora Emirates of the present Niger State and Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State were made by Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani and Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, respectively.

Similarly, representatives from Kogi and Kwara states also submitted their memos for the creation of Okun, Okura and Efesowofo states out of the present Kogi and Kwara states, respectively.

The House Committee received documents from women groups, organized labour unions and youth groups, among others, for consideration.