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“No Man Can Reject Governor Nwifuru’s One Million Naira Empowerment” – Ebonyi Govt Brags, APGA reacts

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1 year ago

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By Wisdom Nwedene

Ebonyi State government has bragged that no man can reject the ongoing one million naira empowerment programme being done by Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru if selected after being criticised over the rationale behind the selection of youth to be empowered.

Recall that last week, Mr Nwifuru during an event at Ngbo, in Abakaliki said he will empower 1,300 youth because they didn’t join the nationwide protest.

Shortly after the announcement, the government constituted a committee to supervise the empowerment programme which generated mixed reactions.

The committee has the Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, others in list.

Many Ebonyians questioned whether the empowerment will really get to the poor masses or will be shared by the Political elites in the State.

Reacting, the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr Leo Ekene Oketa said no Ebonyi man can reject the one million naira.

According to him, “The reason His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and EXCO constituted a committee for the selection of youths to benefit from the N1m empowerment, is to ensure it is not left in the hands of one particular state ministry.”

“It is rather better that you reach out to any of the committee members and suggest to them, best ways to select the beneficiaries and not frowning online at the list.”

“Truth is, no one, even you condemning the list on arrival, will reject the empowerment funds if you are selected. Like the Governor will always say, ‘the job is too easy when you are not the one doing it’.”

“The committee will definitely work sincerely to justify their inclusion in this delicate assignment. But more important than any comment online about them, will be an insightful suggestion on how they can get it right.”

“That is why they are a committee – to deliberate and make the best decision in this matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Hon. Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, Delaw has described the Ebonyi State government’s statement as an insult to Ebonyians.

He said Ebonyians voted the governor and not the committee members.

According to him, “you just goofed. This is unlike your response. Directing us to those we didn’t send any message is demeaning. Ebonyians voted the governor and not the committee members.”

” Also Saying that no one can reject the 1m if given is an insult to many Ebonyians. That one is asking for things to be done right doesn’t mean he or she is interested in it. Some Ebonyians do more than that everyday. This response goes along way to show how miserable APC see Ebonyians to be.”

“Also calling the genuine concern of Ebonyi people whose money is about to be shared a ‘FROWN’ is another insensitive statement.”

“Brother, Nothing concerns a sitting party chairman whose duty is to oversee party affairs in the distribution of Ebonyi people’s money. We are not his party EXCOs.”

 

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Politics

BREAKING: Professor Mahmood Yakubu Hands Over to May Agbamuche-Mbu as INEC Acting Chairman’s

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2 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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In a significant leadership transition, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the Acting National Chairman. The handover ceremony took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Professor Yakubu, who has been at the helm of INEC since 2015, expressed gratitude to Nigerians, INEC staff, and development partners for their support during his tenure.

He noted that the Commission had recorded significant progress in electoral transparency, technology adoption, and institutional reforms. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, in her acceptance speech, pledged to continue building on the foundation laid by Professor Yakubu, ensuring transparency, impartiality, and commitment to credible elections.

The transition comes as INEC prepares for several off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu’s experience and institutional knowledge are expected to ensure a seamless process. President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate a substantive INEC Chairman in the coming weeks, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC Chairman has been marked by significant electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He has overseen two general elections in 2019 and 2023, introducing innovations amid criticisms of technical glitches and electoral integrity issues.

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Kenneth Okonkwo Elected to ADC National Working Committee

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3 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has been elected into the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as National Ex-Officio by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). This appointment is seen as a testament to his dedication and leadership skills.

Date: October 7, 2025
Position: National Ex-Officio, National Working Committee of ADC
Electing Body: National Executive Committee (NEC) of ADC

Kenneth Okonkwo is a renowned Nollywood actor, lawyer, and public affairs analyst.

He recently resigned from the Labour Party, citing internal crises and lack of effective leadership. Okonkwo was a key figure in the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign and has been an outspoken advocate for good governance and transparency in Nigeria.

Okonkwo’s appointment to the ADC National Working Committee is expected to strengthen the party’s national appeal and contribute to its mission of promoting good governance and people-oriented leadership.

The ADC has been positioning itself as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Okonkwo’s is seen as a significant boost to the party’s leadership.

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Politics

BREAKING: Tinubu Set To Announce Prof Amupitan, Dino Melaye’s Kinsman And Lawyer For 10 Years, As Next INEC Chairman

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3 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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Ekwutosblog learned that to formalise the appointment, the President has scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for this Thursday.

Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his 10-year tenure across two terms.

Ekwutosblog learned that to formalize the appointment, the President has scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for this Thursday. Amupitan is both a kinsman and longtime legal counsel for Senator Dino Melaye.

On September 26, 2025, Ekwutosblog exclusively reported that Amupitan had emerged as the likely candidate to succeed Yakubu as the INEC National Chairman.

Previously, Ekwutosblog exclusively reported that President Tinubu had directed Yakubu to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

Sources described the move as a response to what they termed Yakubu’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that appointed him.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day working vacation, alleging that Yakubu’s efforts to register new political parties toward the end of his tenure had disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the governor also claimed that Yakubu was covertly supporting a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.

Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Yakubu suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.

Yakubu was first appointed INEC Chairman on October 21, 2015, by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding acting chairperson Amina Zakari. Following Senate confirmation on October 29, 2015, he was sworn in on November 9, 2015.

After completing his first term in November 2020, Yakubu was nominated for a second and final term by President Buhari, confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on December 1, 2020.

“Tinubu is shopping for Prof. Yakubu’s replacement, and Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan is likely to be the next INEC Chairman,” a top government source told SaharaReporters in September.

 

Amupitan’s Profile

Amupitan is a legal scholar and administrator with over 34 years of academic and professional experience. A native of Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, he is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and together they are blessed with four children.

Amupitan began his academic journey at the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer. He steadily rose through the academic ranks, becoming a Reader in 2003 and a Professor of Law in 2008.

Over the years, he has held several key administrative positions, including Head of Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and a member of the University’s Governing Council.

He has also served on the Governing Councils of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education. Today, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.

In December 2023, Professor Amupitan was inaugurated as the second Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), thereby affording him affiliation with the school.

According to records online, he obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Jos in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing the Barrister at Law program at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

He went on to earn a Master of Law degree in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Law in 2007, both from the University of Jos. In recognition of his achievements in the legal profession, he was conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.

His areas of specialisation include the Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Privatisation Law.

Amupitan has contributed to research, focusing on the legal frameworks for privatisation, reform of electoral laws, and reforms in petroleum and corporate governance laws.

He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the National Association of Law Teachers.

 

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