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WHY I WANT TO RUN FOR COUNCILLOR ALADIMMA WARD 1

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Comrade ???????????????????????? Onigbo JP
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My names is Austin Udoka Onuigbo (JP) meaning, ‘Justice Of Peace’.

I hail from Uzii in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State.

*FAMILY BACKGROUND*

I am a father of one, a devoted christian with good upbringing.

Born on April 12, 1984, and that makes 40yrs plus now.

*EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND*

I am a HND holder on Food Science & Technology from Federal Polytechnic Idah, Lokoja in Kogi State Nigeria.

Also acquired a Diploma in Computer Engineering.

*POLITICAL SOJOURN*

I started active politics in the year 2014 in Aladinma Ward 1.

Member of People Democratic Party till June 2023.

I served the party then as a founding member of PDP New Media Directorate, pioneer of PDP Owerri Municipal Council New Media Directorate with 11 ward media coordinators under my watch.

I was the Owerri Municipal Coordinator of one of the largest Presidential Support Group then under PDP known as ATIKULATION

I later assumed the position of Owerri Municipal LGA PDP Assistant Publicity Secretary, on account of the zoning factor of PDP in Owerri Municipal Council. A post I occupied till my resignation in June 2023.

I joined All Progressives Congress in the year 2023, my entrance into APC in the ward contributed immensely in the victory of the party in the ward.

I was made booth leader of booth 017 Owerri Club, and served as party agent which I delivered the booth to my party All Progressives Congress during 2023 November 11 governorship election in the State.

My contributions, ideas and suggestions in the ward and strategic meetings, played a vital role in the victory of the party at the election in the ward.

During campaign, i worked with APC Owerri zone media team that promoted campaign activities of the party at the zone. The team was headed by Hon Julian Mendosa SA media to State party chairman Hon Sir MacDonald Ebere PhD who supervised the team.

As a new entry to the party APC, I discovered that a lot of party men and women are angry with the party at the ward. Many of them are not bold enough to say they are members of the party. I discovered their was no 100% loyalty to the party and lack of commitment from some members of the party.

They complained about not being carried along in the scheme of things in the party, especially when it comes to dividend and benefits as party members.

They were bittered that some few persons in the ward, are fond of highjacking whatever that comes to the party, including and submitting names of their family members who are not active members of the party, when it comes to benefits that comes to the party.

In my short stay so far in the party as a bonafide member of All Progressives Congress, I have truly discovered some of these their complains to be truly true.

I have seen recycling of same names of few particular persons always appearing in Owerri Municipal list whenever names are needed from the party for a particular assignment or benefits.

Hence, my passion to drive positive change in the party begining at my Ward level, change the narrative as being complained daily by true party men and women.

I have come to change this mentality of it MUST be me circle in the ward.

I have come to give these loyal party faithfuls sense of belonging, through making them partakers of benefits coming to the party at the ward.

These men and women and youths who are complaining are my main reasons for vying for the Councillorship position of Aladinma Ward 1

Before now, some persons when appointed or giving positions, see it as a personal settlement. They neither carry party members along nor support the activities of the party at Ward levels.

They publicly and openly deny ever seeing any goodies from the government, thereby painting the image of 3R Shared Prosperity Government of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Onyoko) Imo State Governor bad before the people.

We should know that government can’t appoint everybody at the same time in government, rather, it is the case of “Enye Gi, Inye Ndi Ozo Nogi Nso”

Without taking the government down to the grassroot, people can’t feel whatever good achievement the state government is doing in the State.

So, I present myself to serve my people, to bring this government to us at the grassroot level.

To achieve my goals, I have a well mapped out plans on how to support small scale businesses in Aladinma Ward 1, empowering widows and indigent people to start up little businesses to enable them provide food to their families.

Well designed programmes to bring in entire youths of Aladinma Ward 1 into APC in the Ward.

Having observed that our youths are lovers of sports, I will use sports to promote the party to them through sports engagement and maintenance of fields in the ward, not just that of Aladinma Primary School which is central chapter.

I will engage my fellow youths of Aladinma Ward 1 in skill acquisition programmes that will enable them to fetch for themselves and support their families.

I will train some of our youths in graphics designs, website creation, computer programmes, photo & video editing etc.

I will attract the presence of government to the entire 5 Chapters of the Ward which are;
1. Aladinma Central
2. Imsu Chapter
3. NYC chapter
4. Prefab 1
5. Prefab 2

Most times, these chapters are forgotten, while keeping focus on a particular chapter, this I want to change.

As Councillor representing Aladinma Ward 1 at the council,i will have additional Personal Assistant outside number of approved PA’s which i will be taking care of them from my approved salary as a Councillor.

Again, I have a well planned packages for the party leaders in the Ward, this package will be coming to them time to time, as a way of accommodating everybody in the Ward.

I will give attention to the challenges of neighbourhood in Aladinma Ward 1, and from time to time engage them in discussion and enlightenment on government policies and programmes.

Lastly, I will contribute my quota in the law making at the local government council chambers, which will impact positively to the residents of Owerri Municipality.

Trust me to do these as mentioned, and I will represent well to the best of my knowledge and ability.

Send me, for I will use every opportunity in my disposal to propagate and consolidate the good works of our performing governor whose most of his good works are not projected and promoted especially at the grassroot level.

Let me use this opportunity to commend the State Working Committee of our great party ably led by our indefatigable State Party Chairman Hon Sir MacDonald Ebere PhD for for their commitment and dedication to the party that made the party formidable in the State, which resulted in the triumphantly victory of the party at the last governorship election in the State.

Let me equally commend and appreciate our ebullient LGA party chairman Hon Chief Onyekachi Ibezim for his decision to give all aspirants a level playing ground. It’s indeed a true and practical demonstration of democracy as enshrined in the party constitution.

I also want to appreciate our Apex Leader Rt Hon Ernest Ibejiako, my ward chairman Hon Ihunna Chikodi (Owelle APC) and his entire executives together with the leaders of my ward, for their hardwork before and during election which resulted in the party winning the governorship election at the ward.

With your total support, I will achieve this and put smile in the faces of Aladinma Ward 1 party members and residents.

I promise never to fail or disappoint if given this awesome opportunity to serve my people as Aladinma Ward 1 Councillor.

God bless Aladinma Ward 1 APC!

God bless Owerri Municipal APC!

God bless Imo State APC!

APCccccc!!! God sent governor

God sent governor, Ebe Esere Aziza!!!

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Emeka Ihedioha at 60: Obasanjo, Atiku, Tambuwal, Peter Obi, others meet in Abuja

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Monday, met in Abuja.

The former leaders met during a colloquium to celebrate the 60th birthday of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

The event which was held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel was chaired by Obasanjo.

Posting on his X page, Atiku wrote: “Today, I joined family, friends, and leaders, including my former boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at the 60th birthday colloquium in Abuja in honour of former Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Chief Emeka Ihedioha, @EmekaIhedioha.

“For a patriot, and long-standing associate like Ihedioha, birthdays are a moment of reflection. Your birthday is a time to appreciate you for your unwavering support all through the years. More than anything, it is a moment to thank the Almighty for His blessings and grace upon you. As you celebrate today, I am happy to join many other well-wishers of yours to pray for you for many more years in good health and service to humanity. Happy birthday, Emeka, and do have the best of the day.”

This comes days after Atiku, Ihedioha, and other opposition leaders, including a representative of Obi held a press conference at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

They had announced a move to birth a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

During the press conference, Atiku hinted at a possible coalition of opposition parties to challenge Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 elections.

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Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Agim denies escorting FCT Minister, Wike to UNICAL convocation

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Justice Emmanuel, Akomaye Agim, of the Supreme Court who delivered the judgment that restored the 27-pro Wike lawmakers into the Rivers State House of Assembly has denied following the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike to the last Convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar.

He claimed that he attended the ceremony as a honouree and an alumnus of the institution, whom the Governing Council had conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa).

The clarification of the Justice was contained in a press release issued on Monday by Dr Akande Festus, Director of Information & Public Relations of the apex court.

Justice Agim delivered the controversial judgments that ordered the federal government to withhold financial allocations to Rivers State and which subsequently led to the suspension of democratic government in the state.

The statement read in part “In light of the reports circulating on social media and other news platforms, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attendance of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar on Saturday, 22nd March, 2025.

“It has come to our attention that misleading information has emerged, suggesting that Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike to the ceremony.

“We hereby dispel this false narrative. Hon. Justice Agim attended the convocation as an esteemed honouree and an alumnus of the institution, whom the Governing Council had found worthy to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa).

“He was recognized for his significant contributions to the legal profession; which is a reflection of his commitment to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, serving as a model for aspiring legal professionals and students alike.

“Hon. Justice Agim was scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Hon. Justice Stanley Alagoa alongside other Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court in Bayelsa State but sought permission to go for the convocation ceremony.

“We wish to emphasize that Justice Emmanuel Agim’s participation at the ceremony was independent and not as an official representative of any government ministry or department, let alone accompanying any serving or retired government official.

“Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy.

“We encourage the public and media to verify information through credible sources before sharing or publishing to prevent the spread of misinformation”, the statement said.

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Tinubu Sacrificed One Of Nigeria’s Wealthiest States To Reward Ally Wike For Helping To Manipulate Election In Rivers –Sowore

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Sowore said the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amounts to anarchy, as Tinubu unilaterally removed a democratically elected governor and installed a sole administrator.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused President Bola Tinubu of sacrificing the entire Rivers State to a political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who happens to be his friend, against the wishes of the state’s people.

Sowore said the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amounts to anarchy, as Tinubu unilaterally removed a democratically elected governor and installed a sole administrator.

Speaking on Channels TV Thursday morning about the president’s declaration, Sowore said, “It is important to state here that we are witnessing impunity in its most obvious form.”

He said when the president of a country can sacrifice an entire state—one of Nigeria’s richest and most prominent states—on the altar of political convenience to please a godfather who is his friend, then Nigerians are in trouble.

The human rights activist alleged that President Tinubu declared a state of emergency because his political ally, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, had helped him win the presidency through “electoral manipulation” in the state.

Sowore further alleged that Tinubu and Wike’s main objective is to control the state’s treasury and are already strategising for future elections.

“They’re looking at how to manipulate the next election cycle. That is the motivation behind all of this. Every step leading up to this move was designed to consolidate power for the godfather,” he said.

He continued: “What I find despicable and unacceptable is that certain people in this country can predictably engage in undemocratic actions, and they will get away with it.

“They make it clear that they do not care about the people, institutions, or democracy itself. They simply remove a governor who refuses to play along by surrendering the state’s resources, and then they impose a sole administrator overnight.

“They didn’t even wait for the National Assembly—which, pardon my words, which I called ‘useless’—to take a position on the matter. They rushed ahead with their plan because their ultimate goal was to release the state’s funds to an illegitimate appointee who was not elected by the people of Rivers State.

“Initially, the Supreme Court ruled to halt the state’s allocation until certain democratic principles were resolved. But instead of addressing those concerns, they have completely abandoned democracy altogether.”

Sowore expressed scepticism that the National Assembly would intervene, arguing that the lawmakers were only waiting to rubber-stamp the decision.

“Even if they don’t have the numbers, they will come up with some justification to push this through. But what matters is that Nigerians wake up. They have been too complacent, too quiet, and perhaps too cowardly. More people are now realising the need to come together and reclaim the country,” he said.

He stated that Nigeria cannot progress when those in power actively work against it.

“Those expected to bring progress are doing the opposite. That is why I hope this crisis will force Nigerians to rise and take action. I’m not calling for mayhem; they are the ones who have introduced mayhem into our politics. Justice is not about maintaining peace in the graveyard—it’s about fairness and accountability,” he said.

Sowore also criticised the role of Nigeria’s Attorney General (Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in enabling impunity and illegality.

He said, “One of the biggest crises in Nigeria was the annulment of the June 12 election, and that decision was driven by advice from an Attorney General. Every time we face impunity, dictatorship, or unjust laws, the Attorney General is often the enabler. Maybe we should start scrutinising that office more closely.

“It doesn’t matter who holds the position—once they become Attorney General, they take on a certain arrogance and impunity. They defend indefensible actions, like this unconstitutional takeover of Rivers State. The Attorney General surely knows this is wrong, but they do not care.

“They know Nigerians will move on, and that’s why they keep getting away with these actions. But I hope Nigerians won’t let this slide, just as they should not overlook other attacks on their rights.”

Sowore further dismissed accusations of promoting anarchy, arguing that the federal government in Rivers State imposed the real anarchy.

“Somebody imposed his friend on a state that already has elected officials. Soldiers have been sent in, the governor has been driven out—this is anarchy. So why are you accusing me of promoting anarchy? If there’s anarchy, it is the federal government that has imposed it on Rivers State,” he said.

However, Sowore reiterated his stance that Nigeria’s democracy is under siege.

“I don’t care about labels. If speaking the truth makes me an ‘anarchist,’ so be it. But what we are discussing here is not anarchy—it is the blatant destruction of democracy,” he added.

 

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