Politics

Oha na Eze Youths Kick against Orlu, Backs Anioma State

Published

2 years ago

July 2, 2024

Oha na Eze youth council

The Ohanaeze Youth Council rejects the creation of Orlu and Etiti States while, at the same time, urges the proponents of Orlu and Etiti States to support the birth of ANIOMA STATE

In line with the hallowed traditions and/or principles of equity, justice and fairness, the apex socio-cultural youth organization of Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has lent its support, in commendation, to the Dist. Senator Prince Chinedu Nwoko known as Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, for the well articulated bill seeking for a creation of an additional State in the southeast geopolitical zone, in the country, to balance out politically.

The above is steeped in the foundation of egalitarianism especially in consideration of the empirically clear political marginalisation of the southeastern part of Nigeria in terms of the number of States thereat being only geopolitical zone in the country with only five (5) States imbalance in contradistinction to the six (6) States hitherto maintained by the other geopolitical zones in Nigeria save North West with seven (7) Seven States.

Thusly, the said Dist. Sen. Nwoko, in the spirit of fairness with views of nation building, through the bill, has re-echoed again, in Nigeria, at the National Assembly, the need, as well as the whyness thereof, for a creation of more States in the country, particularly to create an additional State in the southeast which would goad the political spirits, aspirations and/or interests of the southeastners in the political affairs of Nigeria with balanced political geometry for equal opportunities.

It is within the believability of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, therefore, that any progressive and patriotic Nigerian, particularly, within the high echelons of might, power and positions as a member of National Assembly selflessly seeking for the good of the already fragile country, Nigeria, should not wring his or her hands with muted mouth against the bill but to support same as a means to promote national unity, integrity, fairness and equity as the creation of an additional State, to be known as and called ANIOMA State, as opposed to ORLU or ETITI State, should not be seen as portions of regional benefits.

Injustice, with a play of lack of political equality and/or equity is ravaging Nigeria more like a tornado and this, majorly, accounts for reasons why Nigeria is a sinking glory, plunging into an apology of the country our heros past wanted her to be. The creation of Anioma State is undoubtedly a rescue mission to place Nigeria on the pedestal of political balance.

Among the proponents of creation of an additional State in southeast, like the proposed Orlu State which comprised Orlu zone, parts of Anambra and Abia States, and the proposed Etiti State comprising parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, and Anambra States, only those favouring, in championship, the creation of Anioma State wear the sacred garbs of selflessness, equity and fairness.

Besides, it’s obvious that part of ethno-political crisis in Nigeria is as a result of ceding some micro ethnic groups to a large ethnic groups in one State. Therefore the creation of Anioma State, considering its geograph, dynamics of socio-political behaviours in the area as well as ethno-cultural topology thereof, is a blue print and anti-dote that will settle ethnic crisis in Edo and Delta States.

It’s reasonable, logical and a peaceful political dovetail and/or marriage to cede parts of Ndoni people in Rivers State that link to Ukwuani axis of Delta State and the following communities in Edo State such as Idumodin, Ottah, Ute – Oheze, Ugo, Igbanke, Iru egbede, Evbobanosa, Oza, Ogan, Oheze, Idumiru and others including the whole Delta North senatorial district to form the new State called Anioma State.

The Council is aware that the creation of the six (6) geo-political zones in Nigeria were not entirely carved out on the considerations based on their geographic locations but rather on the States with similarity of ethnic groups and/or common political history at play in the same zone. Therefore it falls within the principle of geo-political creation in Nigeria that the proposed component of Anioma State has the same ethnic groups and same political history, consciousness and/or we-feelings with other States in the southeast.

The birth of Anioma State to the southeast family will build zonal equity as same would go a long way to address the deplorable issues of marginalization of southeast zone.

It’s historical that part of agitation in the Southeast on self-determination by Pro-Biafran groupings is because of political marginalisations and lack of unequal distributions of political structure and benefits with annoying recurring ethno-political short- changes against the Southeasterners. The creation of Anioma State fall in line with the justice of salvaging the mess with every equity and fairness and it’s most strategic means to address the agitation in the southeast with genre of promotion and sustainability of unity in the area.

At this juncture, Ohaneze Youth Council calls on the proponents of Orlu State and Etiti State to abort their bill with abandonment on the ground of lack merit and garner their support to Dist. Sen. Ned Nwoko for the actualization of ANIOMA STATE.

The same call is hereby made and/or extended to all progressive Igbo political leaders of various facets including the traditional rulers and leaders to rally round in support to Dist. Sen. Ned Nwoko for a successful creation of Anioma State.

With echo voice, relatedly moreso, the apex youth Council calls on Hon. Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu, also known as Ikenga Ugochinyere and Co to withdraw the bill seeking to birth Orlu State and join Dist. Sen. Ned Nwoko, in the the labour room, for a successful delivery of the new baby state to be called ANIOMA STATE.

Ohanaeze Youth Council, therefore, state that from henceforth anyone presenting, debatimg for and/or pushing for the creation of Orlu State or Etiti State bill at the National Assembly does so at his or her peril and without the mandate and/or supportations of the Igbo youths/Ndigbo and such person(s) or group(s) are is(are) the enemy(ies) to the southern Nigeria and southeast, in particular.

To finality, therefore, it is the Council’s appeal to everyone, particularly the patriotic honourable members in the North, Middle Belt, Southwest, and South-South to see the creation of Anioma State as a regional Political balance and national equity to calm down the rate of agitation in Southeast.

Gentlemen of the press the only crime Nnamdi Kanu committed is because he is asking for equity for his people. Such opportunity for equity has come. The creation of Anioma State is part of the equity that would relieve the agitation in Southeast for a peaceful co-existence.

Signed.
Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka
National President.

Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Cedric Nweke
Secretary General.
22nd June 2024

Politics

2027: More Than 50 Lawmakers Lose APC Reps Tickets in Major Primary Election

Published

18 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

No fewer than 50 members of the 10th House of Representatives are unlikely to be part of the 11th Assembly after losing out in the All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries held on Saturday.

This marks one of the largest turnovers of sitting federal lawmakers since 2015 and signals intensifying internal competition within the ruling party eight months to the 2027 general elections.

While House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas (Kano) and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (Abia) successfully defended their tickets, several ranking and long-serving lawmakers were defeated, exposing strong anti-incumbent sentiment and the decisive role of state governors in candidate selection.

Major casualties

One of the biggest upsets was the defeat of House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere in Edo State’s Owan Federal Constituency. He polled 1,005 votes out of 7,587 cast, finishing third behind Andrew Ijegbia, who scored 3,695 votes. Abdul Oroh placed second with 1,740 votes.

In Delta State, veteran lawmaker Nicholas Mutu, who has represented Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency since 1999, lost his re-election bid. Ngozi Okolie also lost the Aniocha/Oshimili ticket to former House Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu.

Cross River State recorded one of the highest casualty rates, with five of eight incumbents failing to secure re-nomination.

They include three-term member Mike Etaba (Obubra/Etung), Godwin Offiono (Ogoja/Yala), Emil Inyang (Akamkpa/Biase), and Bassey Akiba (Odukpani/Calabar Municipality).

Only Peter Akpanke, Joseph Bassey, and Victor Abang won return tickets.

In Plateau State, conflicting results in Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency triggered early confusion. One returning officer declared challenger John Tongshinen winner with 29,968 votes against incumbent Yusuf Gagdi’s 5,849.

The APC Plateau State primaries committee, chaired by Stella Okotete, later dismissed that declaration as unauthorised and affirmed Mr Gagdi as the authentic winner with 29,207 votes.

At a press briefing, Mrs Okotete stated that Nandom Kura was the recognised returning officer. “The returning officer approved by my committee that has gone to do fake declaration is null and void,” she said.

Other significant losses occurred in Ogun State (at least five incumbents, including Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiaka and Tunji Akinosi) and Ekiti State (three sitting members).

Politics

PDP to screen Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday as its sole Presidential aspirant For 2027 race

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has scheduled to screen former president Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow, Tuesday, aMay 19, as the lone presidential candidate of party.

According to a statement from the PDP faction backed by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former governor of Plateau State, Jona Jang and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi have been listed among a committee of 14 members to screen Jonathan described as a lone candidate by the party.

Other members of the committee were Chief Olabode George, Babangida Aliyu, Maryam ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenin, Dr. Abdul Bulama, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Edo State PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, Dr. Sunday Solarium and Chief Anicho Okoro, who would serve as administrative secretary of the committee.

Last week, the national Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ini Ememobong, disclosed that former president Jonathan has successfully registered as a member of the party in the fresh digital registration exercise directed by INEC.

The PDP faction also announced that it was set to screen 748 house of representatives aspirants, 198 senatorial aspirants, and 112 governorship aspirants.

The screening committee would screen 2122 states houses of assembly aspirants. The exercise will commence tomorrow, Tuesday in different states.

According to the statement, the screening exercise would take place nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The statement said the Interim National Working Committee (iNWC) has also released the names of members to serve on the Screening Committees and Screening Appeal Panels.

It added that the publication of the screening details “is in accordance with the party’s guidelines and timetable for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.”

Politics

Oshiomhole wins Edo APC senatorial primaries unopposed

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A former governor and incumbent Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, along with his counterpart Senator Joe Ikpea, sailed through the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Edo unopposed, and securing their tickets without a single vote cast against them.

Also Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama emerged the winner in the APC primary for the Edo South senatorial district.

Ogbeide-Ihama won in the seven local government areas of Edo South in the results announced by the Chairman of APC National Assembly Primary Election, Muhammed Ajana at the Urokpota Hall, Benin.

He polled 27,154 votes while his opponents, Senator Neda Imasuen, got 13,580, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu got 6785.

The elections were hitch-free in Edo North and Edo Central, where there was no contest against the incumbents, Senators Oshiomhole of Edo North and Ikpea of Edo Central, respectively.

Ajana at the Urokpota Hall said the collation arose from votes cast in the seven local government areas made up of 77 wards where elections were conducted by members of the committee.

He said, “There are seven local governments that make up the Edo South Senatorial District. We have heard from the Returning officers from the seven local government areas. From the collation, the cumulative result we have for Edo South Senatorial District is this; Ogbeide-Ihama with 27,154 votes, Imasuen with 13,580 votes and Ize-Iyamu with 6, 785.

“This is the total reflection of what has transpired from the ward level to the local government and the Edo South senatorial district collation centre. With this we await further directives from the National Secretariat, we have done our best by collating the results which is our mandate, to collate the results and send them to the National Secretariat.”

However, it was gathered that Ize-Iyamu emerged as the APC candidate for Edo South Senatorial race. He claimed to have clinched the party’s ticket after defeating Ogbeide-Ihama and Imasuen.

It was claimed that the Chief Returning Officer, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, officially declared Ize-Iyamu the winner after securing the highest number of votes cast.

On his part, the senator representing the district condemned the exercise describing it as a sham allegedly designed to favour a preferred aspirant.

Imasuen spoke while reacting to events at his polling unit in Umagbae North Ward 5, Urhokuosa where he said he was denied the opportunity to vote following what he described as a chaotic and manipulated process.

The lawmaker accused leaders of the party of openly adopting a preferred candidate ahead of the exercise and intimidating members into supporting that aspirant.

He said, “There is nothing satisfactory about this sham of election they did today and it is very unfortunate because as a loyal party member, I expected something better than this.”

He said the warning signs emerged days before the primary when some ward chairmen allegedly informed him that they had been directed not to receive him during consultations.

Imasuen claimed that some ward leaders openly told him the party had already adopted a preferred aspirant, identified as Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, making further consultations unnecessary.