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No One Can Question My Decision Then As Governor To Suspend The Project And Direct The Funds To Other Areas – Abia Fmr Gov, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu

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The immediate-past governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has finally responded to the allegation of diverting N10bn meant for the construction of an airport in Aba, saying as someone with executive power at that time, no one can question his decision not to go ahead with the project.

While admitting that the sum of N10bn was earmarked for the construction of an airport to boost commercial life in Aba, the former governor in an interview, said he realized that roads to the major markets in the city were in a bad state, making interconnection difficult.

“So we decided to suspend the airport project. Today when people talk about the money for the airport and all that, it’s as if they are questioning my decision to change my mind and I had right at that time to say I don’t want this airport now.

“Because of you land at the airport, where are you going to? You can’t go to Ariaria. We had to change the status quo at that time and I am happy that I finished Eziukwu Road from that fund, I finished Faulks road from that fund, Ngwa Road is okay, and Osusu Road is okay.

“So today you can connect Ariaria through Osusu road, to Eziukwu market and connect Eziukwu road to Ngwa market. I succeeded in interconnecting all the markets, courtesy of that fund which we were supposed to construct an airport”, he explained.

According to the former governor, if his administration had gone ahead with that project, the sum of N10bn wouldn’t have completed it, saying it would have amounted to tying the money as some airports in the country are not viable.

*He also dismissed allegations that the fund was diverted to about 32 accounts, insisting that those who received money from the funds were contractors who carried out various projects and they were less than 32.*

He also challenged the incumbent government to follow the trail to check if a dime was diverted to an individual’s account from the N10bn.

He listed other projects completed from that fund to include, Faulks Road, Eziukwu Road, Ejike Lane, Milverton Avenue, and so many others.

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Desist from making reckless statement on TV – Presidency blasts Ndume

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The Presidency has issued a stern warning to the lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume, against what it described as reckless statement on television.

According to the presidency, such unguarded utterances made Senator Ndume, a former Senate Chief Whip not to command the respect of any right thinking person.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, while reacting to the allegations that a cabal has hijacked Tinubu’s government and that kleptocrats and kakistocrats dominate the administration, accused Ndume of making a sweeping statement without providing any scintilla of proof.

“Ndume is entitled to his opinion, as a lone-wolf opposition within the APC, though he most often gets his facts wrong or builds his thesis on a specious, faulty foundation.

“Like he lied about General Buratai being ambushed by terrorists. A ranking Senator making reckless statement on TV cannot command the respect of any right thinking person.

“His allegation that kleptocrats and kakistocrats dominate the government is just too sweeping. And he made it without providing any scintilla of proof.

“Kakistocrats? Does he know the word’s meaning, or does he just like bandying terms?

“This President has many competent aides, many of whom were accomplished professionals before coming to work for the government.

“And they are doing a damn good job, reengineering the country’s economy to ensure it is put on a solid foundation for sustainable growth,” Onanuga said.

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Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, has declared his support for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in mobilizing voters and political structures in Abia State ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

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Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, has declared his support for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in mobilizing voters and political structures in Abia State ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

During a visit to the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) office in Umuahia on Saturday, Dr. Ogah announced his readiness to join forces with the Deputy Speaker and other stakeholders to build grassroots momentum for the President’s campaign across the South East.

“My brother and friend, we have always worked together, and I have come today to join forces with you to make Renewed Hope Partners a success in Abia State. We will put in everything we have — our resources, our social capital — to ensure that this renewed hope partnership is a success,” Dr. Ogah said.

He commended Deputy Speaker Kalu for his legislative efforts, particularly the bill establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which addresses decades-long infrastructural neglect in the region.

In response, Rt. Hon. Kalu praised Ogah’s decision to align with the team, stressing the need for political unity and collaboration ahead of the polls.

“We need you on board with all the investments you have made in Abia politics. We are preparing for 2027 and will be touring the South East and beyond to showcase the President’s achievements,” Kalu remarked.

Observers see this partnership as a strategic step in consolidating the Renewed Hope agenda and expanding President Tinubu’s appeal across Abia State and the broader South East region.

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Gwandu Emirate tussle: Kebbi deputy gov reacts to Supreme Court judgment

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Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, has reacted to the Supreme Court judgment affirming Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar as the rightful Emir of Gwandu.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tafida congratulated the Emir on the verdict and described the ruling as a significant step toward restoring lasting peace and unity in the emirate.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the judgment, delivered on Wednesday, ended a two-decade legal battle that began with the removal of Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo in 2005.

 

The deputy governor urged all parties involved in the dispute to accept the court’s decision and work collectively toward stability and development in Gwandu Emirate.

He also cautioned residents in flood-prone areas of the state to take necessary precautions by relocating to safer grounds, citing the recent flood incidents in Niger State as a warning.

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