Politics

Uzodimma to Muslims on Eid-el- Fitr: Be law abiding, seek Nigeria’s unity

Published

1 year ago

April 11, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Uzodimma to Muslims on Eid-el- Fitr: Be law abiding, seek Nigeria’s unity

….Seriki Hausa/Muslim says Imo State Governor, most Muslims-friendly Governor in Nigeria.

The Muslim community in Imo State on Wednesday spoke eloquently about their relationship with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, describing him as the most friendly Governor among all the Governors in Nigeria to the Muslims.

The Seriki Hausa/Muslim in Imo State, Alhaji Auwal Baba Suleiman who spoke the mind of all the Muslim faithful in the State during a Banquet organised in their honour by Governor Uzodimma to mark this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, added that despite being a Christian, Governor Uzodimma has dealt so kindly to them that they have lost count of his good deeds.

Seriki’s position coincided with Governor Uzodimma’s charge on the Muslim faithful to be law abiding and make unity their watch word, in the spirit of the Eid- el- Fitr celebration globally.

In his speech, Governor Uzodimma advised them and all Nigerians to ensure that “religion should not be a barrier to their cohabitation.”

He further advised that they should take advantage of the spiritual blessings from the period of fasting and reflection to unite themselves and also seek the unity of Nigeria as a country and in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Uzodimma said:”As Muslims in Imo, we must be united. As Muslims in Nigeria, we must also be united. Irrespective of religion, we should be our brothers and sisters keepers. I join the leadership of the Muslims in Imo State to unite. If you unite, you will see the benefit to our State and Country. Also, be law abiding, both Muslims and Christians.”

The Governor who congratulated the Muslim faithful for successfully completing this year’s Eid-el-Fitr fasting urged them to take advantage of the occasion to forgive those who have offended them in the past the way they pray to God for forgiveness and He forgives, and to lead a life of sincerity.

Recalling the gains from last year’s Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, one of the occasions the Seriki Hausa/Muslim of Imo State cited earlier in his remarks as one of the Governor’s generosity to the Muslim community, Governor Uzodimma told the Muslims that they may have the opportunity to travel again this year.

“It is important that this year we will do our best to go to the Holy Land again so that through that, God will answer our prayers again. In Imo State, there is no room for segregation. We are brothers and sisters here and we will continue to ensure that security of lives and property is extended to all.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Seriki thanked the Governor for all he has done for his members through palliatives, appointments, security of lives and property, medicare, among others, and promised that the Muslim community will continue to support his administration and policies.

He thanked the Governor on behalf of his members, for granting them the opportunity to end their fasting in a joyous and meritorious mood and solicited God’s continuos blessings upon him.

“Your Excellency, you are the most friendly Governor among all the Governors in Nigeria to us and we are grateful to you,” the Seriki said and recommitted his members determination to live harmoniously with every member of the society in Imo State.

Among those who joined the Governor to fete the Muslims were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Chinyere Ekomaru, Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Ndubueze Patrick C , Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, HRH, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, among other top government officials.

Oguwike Nwachuku

Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor

April 10, 2024

Politics

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

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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.

Politics

Kenneth Okonkwo Elected to ADC National Working Committee

Published

3 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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.

Politics

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

Published

3 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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.