Imo Guber election ,the stakes and swings.

Imo Guber election ,the stakes and swings. Okechukwu Jombo writes that Imo state Gubernatorial battle seem to be swinging out of the reach of the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha due to latest political developments in the state The Governorship tussle in Imo state between the incumbent Governor Rochas okorocha of the All Progressive congress APC ,The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho of the The All Progressive grand alliance APGA seem to be swinging out of the reach of the incumbent with latest developments in the state Okorocha before the developments was the candidate to beat and was heading to victory especially with the division in both opposition parties.A lot of people in PDP were still not sure of who their candidate in the gubernatorial election will be between Ihedioha and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume with their case still in court while Iheanacho battled legitimacy in his party due to the division between the leadership of the party. Some of the development included the peace resolution with Former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, Mike Ahamba and Bethel Amadi and the winner of Imo state PDP governorship Primary, Hon Emeka Ihedioha . They urged their supporters to ensure victory for the party for the upcoming governorship election. Another incident is what happened to a well publicized students’ rally for Governor Okorocha of Imo state recently which degenerated into a violent protest against the governor leading to a major security breach following invasion of the government house by irate youths. Throngs of students and youths from all walks of life had gathered at the Governor Rochas Okorocha Campaign office along Okigwe road. They were said to have been gathered by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs, Godstime Samuel, for a solidarity rally in support of the re-election of the governor under a strange platform called the National Union of Imo State Students (NUISS). The students who turned out in their thousands were drawn 80 each from each of the 27 council areas in the state. They students indeed staged a massive rally and roadshow for the governor and reconvened at the freedom square where they were addressed by the Commissioner for Lands, Chief Uche Nwosu and later the governor himself who promised them N4million as transport. At the end of the rally, the Executive Assistant, Godstime Samuel presented the sum of N1.5million to be shared among over 10,000 young men. It was however not clear the reasons given by Samuel; whether N1.5million was all that was provided by the governor or whether he put the rest of the money to other uses, but the students would not buy any of the story. And in the confusion that followed, Samuel disappeared from the scene. Angry and unable to locate their contact man for explanations and completion of the money, anger led to frustration and a massive student rampage erupted. Now chanting solidarity songs in favour of the PDP and its governorship candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, the youths marched into government breached the main gate and a near stampede ensued in government with government house workers scampering for safety. The action of the students who were virtually unchallenged saw government house workers fleeing to, as far as the Governor’s lodge for safety. Finding no one to address their grievances, the students vandalised and destroyed anything that stood in their way. The governor’s posters and billboards were torn to shreds, Street lampholders, APC flags along the government house drive-in were destroyed and traffic was grounded to a halt. The students were only restrained when a detachment of combat-ready policemen were drafted to the scene. The police had to shoot several cannisters of teargas to dislodge the defiant young men. The incident forced workers at commercial banks along the bank road area near government house to close down and flee their offices for fear of vandalised ion and teargas. Another incident was when a faction of the APGA adopted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and PDPgovernorship candidate in Imo state, Ihedioha, and President Goodluck Jonathan as its choice for the February 14th and 28th elections. Factional national chairman of APGA, Chief Ejike Uche led some members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Working Committee (NWC), to make the declaration while addressing journalists in Owerri, Monday. Uche told the media that their decision is based on the outcome of several meetings and consultations within and outside the party and urged all members of the party and the Imo electorate to demonstrate their support for the duo of Jonathan and Ihedioha by casting their votes for them. Uche said they did not accept the former Interior Minister, Capt Emma Iheanacho as their candidate, in view of his affiliation with Chief Victor Umeh, adding that the position of the group was a coalition and not merger. Also at the briefing were a former Attorney General of the state, Prof. Francis Dike, a former President of Orlu Zurume cultural group in the state, Chief Reuben Okoro, a former Mayor of Owerri Metropolis, Chief Uche Njoku, a Personal Assistant to Ihedioha and a member of his campaign organization, among others. While awaiting the court decision on the crisis befalling the APGA between him and Chief Victor Umeh, Ejike, said the party would produce a candidate by 2019, insisting that Prince Cletus C. Nwaka, remained their chairman in the state. He said: “After consultations, the best man today; the best man and the best man that will go on February 28, is Emeka Ihedioha.” Nwaka, who is a former chairman of the state’s Civil Service Commission (CSC), said he had remained the authentic party chairman in the state, who has discharged his duties well, stressing that he was in support of the party. Speaking for the party and Orlu, Okoro said he was being sincere, adding that it was the turn of Owerri zone and not the turn of re-enactment of Governor Rochas Okorocha, who comes from Orlu, after the Orlu zone had produced Chief Achike Udenwa for eight years before he handed over to Ikedi Ohakim after a stint of four years. With developments one cannot be sure of were the pendulum will swing but one thing for sure is that the PDP candidate seem to be gaining more ground everyday.

Buhari throws wife into political campaign

Buhari throws wife into political campaign By Okechukwu Jombo Against his known stance on women, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive congress APC General Muhhamedu Buhari has resurrected his wife and thrown her into politics to campaign for him and his party. Aisha Buhari, the wife of the presidential candidate of the (APC), Buhari,is even heading the partys woman campaign committee alongside wife of the vice presidential candidate , Oludolapo Osinbajo. According to her, where such does not exist constitutionally, she will limit her roles to the traditional functions of visiting orphanages and caring for society’s downtrodden as the first lady. “`When my husband is elected as the president of this country, he will rule the country within the rule of law based on the constitution of the country. “If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it, but if it is not that’s okay. “For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally. “Wives of presidents have some traditional roles, like receiving guests, visiting orphanages, helping the less privileged people. “They also lead in the fight for the right of women and malnourished children, infant mortality rate, kidnapping and girl-child trafficking,’’ she said. While inaugurating the initiative, Mrs Buhari urged the women to unite and cooperate with the men by mobilising women at all levels to ensure success at the February polls. She urged them to double their efforts in educating other women on how to cast their votes and at the same time be civil in their conducts. “As I am talking to you now, more than 55 percent of registered voters are women hence, it is imperative to have initiatives like this to mobilise fellow women at the grassroots. “The meeting will plan campaign activities that will show case the potentials of the women wing in selling the programmes of our great party to the women. “This will include mobilising women by creating voters awareness, particularly in the area of registration, collection of PVC, identifying the party logo and how to cast their votes,’’ Buhari said. Also speaking, the wife of the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Oludolapo Osinbajo, stressed the need to assist women and the less privileged in society. “I am happy that I am a mother, a wife and a sister. It is time to do more than we have been doing; encourage other women so that we all can be mothers of Nigeria. “Mothers heal, comfort, nurture, provide, and sacrifice. We have this virtue in us and by the grace of God; we will be given the opportunity to express who we are as women. “We are the ones who set the standard in the family; We decide whether our children will be honest or dishonest. “We have this opportunity to effect change, not only to change the things that are happening in this nation, we have the opportunity to change ourselves,’’ Osibanjo said. Present at the inauguration were the wives of the governors of Rivers, Imo and Nasarawa states, the national coordinator of #BringBackOurGirls campaign, and a host of other APC women and supporters Buhari before now had insisted the office of the first lady will be scrabbed because it was not constitutional.

Forget herbal cleansers, drink water and lemon

Forget herbal cleansers, drink water and lemon Many people start their day drinking herbal cleansers which they have been convinced would ‘cleanse’ their system of all wastes and toxic substances. Even though their efficacy and safety still remain a subject of hot debate in the medical world, millions of people keep downing herbal cleansers in quantities that could pose great danger to their health. More so, a recent study of 30 herbal cleansers by the Food and Drugs Administration in the United States revealed that they did not contain active ingredients or any medicinal substance that is beneficial to the body. The study also showed that 40 per cent of the random samples collected in the markets were adulterated. Another laboratory analysis conducted on samples of some herbal cleansers and ‘blood purifiers’ bought in open markets in Nigeria also revealed that many of them contained more alcohol than any of the herbal ingredients listed on their bottles. Scientists note that because of the high patronage they attract, herbal cleansers remain one of the most adulterated products in the country. This being the case, why expose yourself to the antics of counterfeiters who put suspicious substances in bottles and label them whatever they deem pleased, to the detriment of your health? Family physician, Dr. Segun Agbaje, advises that instead of ingesting substances that could predispose one to liver, kidney and other organ failure, one should rather consider simple but highly efficacious natural cleansers that you can make right in your kitchen that would improve your health. Agbaje states that natural cleansers such as water and lemon, when taken in reasonable quantity first thing in the morning, have been known not to only cleanse the body system but also detoxifies the body. “Warm water and lemon juice is a natural energiser and cleanser that is at the acceptable temperature and state with the body. Analysing them individually, experts say water is the fluid that takes nutrients and blood around the body. It is the medium in which toxins and wastes are excreted out of the body. So, if you want to cleanse your system or purify your blood, drinking more water than you do now should be the first step. “Lemon also has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C, a nutrient that must be derived from food because the body does not produce it. But the biggest benefit of drinking warm water and lemon is that it helps to maintain your body in an alkaline state. “When other foods such as rice, meat, yam, sugar and bread raise the acidic levels in the body, which allows bacteria and viruses to thrive in the body, water and lime, whose pH levels are alkaline, help to neutralise the toxic effects, reducing one’s chance of falling sick. However, the experts warn that one must not take lemon juice without water, as lemon is acidic and only becomes an alkaline fluid when water is added to it. Consultant Nutritionist, Tosin Akinsanya, says drinking warm water and lemon every morning keeps diseases at bay. Akinsanya notes that lemon is loaded with amazing quantities of potassium, folate, Vitamin B6 and thiamin, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A and E – nutrients that the expert says boost immunity levels and fortify the body to fight free radical cells that could cause cancer and other degenerative diseases. “There is no better cleanser or good morning drink comparable to the combination of warm water and lemon, as opposed to coffee and some ginseng or herbal teas that we have in the market these days. “Lemon has disease-fighting nutrients, something we all need at a time when the incidences of cancer and other non communicable diseases are rising. If you eat a lot of fatty foods or high calorie foods such as bread and rice; or solid foods such as fufu, eba, amala, pounded yam, etc., regularly, you need to cleanse your system often in order to remove the acidic wastes. “A diet overhaul is clearly in order if you fall into the above category; but a good first step is a daily regimen of a cup of warm water and the juice of half a lemon, first thing in the morning, to increase your metabolism,” Akinsanya counsels. The expert says that those who suffer from constipation and other digestive problems should incorporate this wonderful fluid combination into their breakfast routine. According to Akinsanya, lemon juice works wonders on the digestive system, relieving people of symptoms ranging from heartburn, belching and bloating in a natural and cost-effective manner. He adds, “The citric acid in this fruit contains enzymes that stimulate the liver to process all foods and detoxify the body. “Lemon juice is a friendly and natural solvent that absolves uric acid that causes joint pain and inflammation of some organs,” he concludes.

The Mystery of Delta politics

The Mystery of Delta politics As Many political watchers are still pondering about what happened in Delta PDP gubernatorial primary Okechukwu Jombo, writes that is has become a political mystery. That Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, against all odds, pulled 406 votes to beat his closest rival, Chief David Edevbie, who scored 299 and another leading aspirant in the race, Sir Tony Obuh, who got five votes, in the Delta state Governatorial primaries of the PDP is still a mystery to so many people . As a matter of fact, the emergence of Dr. Okowa was akin to a political revolution in the state as people from the three senatorial districts voted him regardless of whatever order they were given. Most importantly, the leadership of the Urobo Progressive Union UPU would learn a bitter lesson from this because it backed the wrong horse. What happened in Delta state is a political mystery. It is a clear indication that nobody is God or can play God. When they say 24 hours is long time in politics, nobody should dismiss the statement in a hurry because that is exactly what played out in the state.”“Can you explain why Dr. Uduaghan had to step down for Senator Manager in the Delta South primary, forget the explanation that it was for peace and security of the state, did you not see what happened to Mr. Obuh, who only 48 hours to the primary was the man to beat. . Okowa again is sure he would emerge victorious over the Labour Party’s Chief Great Ogboru and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Chief O’tega Emerhor, in the state. While maintaining that the PDP has a thriving history of electoral victories since the advent of democracy in 1999, he vowed that such would be replicated next year. He expressed confidence that with the caliber of aspirants that jostled for the party’s ticket in the state, who have now keyed into his campaign council, victory was sure. Speaking on the challenges posed by the opposition APC across the country in Asaba, Okowa, who acknowledged that there are great hurdles ahead to be crossed by his party in 2015, however optimistically said PDP would overwhelmingly coast to victory. “This is the first time we (PDP) are going to the polls nationally with a strong opposition. “But with hard work, PDP will surmount the challenges and be successful.” According to him, the gubernatorial aspirants deserve commendation, especially for not allowing their personal interest to override the interest of the state after they were defeated. He said: “PDP in Delta State has always done so well and I believe that we will do better in the elections that are coming up in 2015. “All the aspirants have called to congratulate me. “Besides appreciating them, I appealed for their cooperation and support of all party faithful to further move the party forward.” Okowa urged the 71-man campaign council inaugurated by the state chapter of the party to midwife the 2015 general elections to engage only in “issue-based campaigns devoid of ethnic sentiments”. Political watchers belief that Okowa is the man to beat in Delta and therefore should be taking seriously this because his emergence as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State was not just the result of the steadfastness and steel of the candidate. There were many other factors While he is generally appreciated for his sagacity, his victory has unmistakably highlighted the grip on the state chapter of the PDP of associates of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief James Ibori on the party. Okowa served in Chief James Ibori’s cabinet like Senator Jamesn Manager, who joined forces to push forward Okowa's victory. Okowa polled 406 votes beating to second place, Olorogun David Edevbie, the consensus candidate of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) who also had the political machinery of the state government behind him with 299 votes. Other results as announced by Sunday Kareem, the returning officer were as follows: Victor Ochei (185 votes), Ndudi Elumelu (50 votes), Godsday Orubebe (49) and Godswill Obielum (22). Sylvester Monye, Ovie Omo-Agege and Sam Obi got 10 votes each; Peter Okocha had six votes, Tony Obuh (five), Charles Emetulu (four), Kenneth Gbagi(two) and Mike Uwaka (one vote). One vote was voided. 2006 power shift agreement It was learned on good authority that Ibori insisted on the power shift arrangement by leaders of the party, eight years ago, which is that Delta North senatorial district should produce the governor in 2015. This was against the clamour by the UPU, the apex sociocultural group of his Delta Central district for an Urhobo governorship flag bearer. Incompatible dissimilarities It was, however, palpable that there were some irreconcilable differences between Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Okowa which only the two personalities can explain. While Uduaghan stood wholeheartedly for a Delta North successor, his mind was not on Okowa and his body language pointed to the retired permanent secretary, Mr. Anthony Obuh. Until the last minute swing by his political machinery,Obuh was generally perceived as the man to beat inthe contest. Those who served with Okowa in the Ibori government were said to have insisted on Okowa forging ahead a development that pushed those opposed to him to the wall, and brought up the idea of using Edevbie to stop him through the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU. Okowa is known to be loved by the political class in the state, but his problem with Uduaghan alienated some persons until the eleventh hour when the Ibori followers rallied round him. Senator James Manager,who is also of the Ibori political family, led his Ijaw kinsmen, while Tompolo, did a yeoman job behind the scene. Nwaoboshi undeterred till the last minute Former state chairman of the party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who had boasted that it was Delta North in 2015, was not deterred by the last minute momentum towards Edevbie. hours before the votes were counted, “Mark it, youwill see what will happen, there is no way Delta Central is going to get it.”Nwaoboshi shook hands triumphantly with SenatorManager shortly after Ijaw delegates cast their votes,probably for a job well done. This was before the votes were counted. The refusal of Delta North aspirants to arrive at a consensus candidate for the primary worried the Ibori political family, but that notwithstanding, it deployed its immense muscle in the three senatorial districts to deliver Okowa. An Urhobo leader said, “In fact, the UPU was shocked that some Urhobo people voted for Okowa instead ofEdevbie. Even though the votes from all the local governments were mixed and counted together, it was clear when the Delta Central local governments were being counted that they were betrayers in the house.” The Urhobo political class and other government officials, who were giving marching orders to deliver Chief Edevbie worked hard as most of them moved from one delegate to the other, canvassing for votes without fruitful results. Most of them beyond what they were given, spent their personal money to woo delegates but to no avail.One reason the Ijaw kicked against Edevbie was that they saw him as a member of the cabal that workedagainst the ascension of Dr. Jonathan as acting president when President Umaru Yar’Adua took ill in 2009. The Ijaw gave bloc votes to Dr Okowa, vowing that the man, who worked against the emergence of their kinsman (Jonathan) would get their votes.

Fresh explosion rocks Maiduguri market

Fresh explosion rocks Maiduguri market Traders and many people who visited the Maiduguri Monday market are feared dead after a bomb exploded on Monday morning. The blast, suspected to have been planted by members of the Boko Haram insurgents occurred not far from the scene of last Tuesday's twin suicide bombing at One Way Monday Market which killed at least 24 people and injured nearly 60. Monday’s blast was equally deadly, witnesses said. A thunderous sound was heard across Maiduguri around 11.15am. This was followed by thick smoke even as pandemonium ensued around the scene as people scampered for safety. Already, soldiers, policemen, fire fighters and humanitarian agencies have moved to the scene. Earlier at about 6.am in Maiduguri, there was fear as a result of two deadly sound suspected to be explosion.

Plateau south and their quest to stop Governor Jonah Jang

Plateau south and their quest to stop Governor Jonah Jang Okechukwu Jombo ,Plateau South’s quest to stop Governor Jonah Jangs anointed candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial seems to have thrown up challenges never envisaged Plateau state like most Peoples Democratic Party PDP held states are facing Confusion state over imposition by their governors hence their effort to pick a consensus candidate from the Southern zone to challenge Governor Jonah Jang’s candidate for the governorship seat. But the move seem not to be going as planned as report have it that efforts by a group known as the Equity and Justice Movement to handpick a consensus candidate from the southern part of the state might not be realistic.This is because some of the aspirants are already rejecting the idea of pruning down the number of governorship aspirants from the Southern axis by a segment of the PDP elders’ forum. They are accusing the forum of taking side with one of the candidates. As such, they have opted to go to the primaries, expected to hold in December, without consensus. The Elder’s forum, under the banner of PDP Equity and Justice Movement, led by Prof. Dakum Shown, recently met in Jos, the state capital, with seven aspirants from the zone. The aspirants at the meeting were Deputy Governor Ignatius Longjan, former governor Fidelis Tapgun, former Director General of Industrial Training Fund Prof Longmas Sambo Wapmut, Senator Victor Lar, Architect John Alkali, Engineer Jimmy Cheto and Godfrey Oman Miri. This was with the view to adopting a consensus candidate. However the candidates sense foul play and belief that they are being sponsored and are playing the script of one of the aspirants to ensure his emergence. They challenged the integrity of the leadership of the forum, for that reason five out of the seven aspirants are opting out of the consensus deal on the grounds that the position and action of the elders’ forum failed in the very basic sense to be subjected on any foundation of credibility and transparency. They further belief rightly or wrongly that the criteria they intend to adopt in selecting their preferred aspirant remains unknown to them and unacceptable. Longjang and Lar are the two top contenders for the group’s endorsement, but majority of the members are plotting for the emergence of Longjang for selfish gains. Those against the choice of Lar argued that he lacks acceptability in his home front, Langtang. Some members of the group from his locality were said to have given the movement the impression that Lar would be difficult to sell to the electorate and compelled to opt for Longjang, who, according to the source, was favoured because he is the present deputy governor and could easily be presented to the electorate as someone with the knowledge of the workings of government. Some of the elders also believed that if Longjang, who is seen as humble and over 70 years old, eventually emerges as governor, he can easily be manipulated and some of them can be relevant in the corridors of power. But when the speculation on the choice of Longjang filtered to the other aspirants, some of them, who believe they have the capacity to win the primaries, vowed to reject any selection not done on the basis of transparency, a development that is presently fueling the speculations that a consensus candidate may never emerge from the zone. Even as the confusion continues the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in the state, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has said that the APC in the state has not selected any of the four contestants as a consensus candidate. Dalung who is reacting to a report which indicated that Alex Kwapnoe, another governorship aspirant, could serve as the party’s consensus candidate, said it was wishful thinking for anyone to think that the party had anointed one of the four contestants at this time. While speaking to newsmen in Jos, the governorship hopeful said, “if there is any consensus reached it could be the figment of the imagination of a great dream of an individual who woke up from his bedroom and dreamt that he was taking oath of office as a governor so he addressed the press to say he was already there. The reality of the situation is that the APC must be more democratic than the PDP to be able to win power. So even if we are going to do consensus, it must be the consensus of the contending interests.” He however said getting a consensus candidate was not completely ruled out as the four contestants are quite understanding and recognise that each one is competent to lead the state, adding that they will be prepared to go into the primaries if that fails. Outside party lines elders of plateau south ahead of the 2015 governorship primaries have started mapping strategies with the principal purpose of producing a consensus candidate from Plateau South Senatorial District of the state. It was gathered that the Council of Elders from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state on recently held a secret meeting at the Jos residence of Jeremiah Useni, which lasted several hours. The meeting, which was between PDP Equity and Justice Movement, also had in attendance seven governorship aspirants of the PDP, all from Plateau South. They included the Deputy Governor, Ignatius Longjan; a former Governor, Fidelis Tapgun; a former Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, Prof Longmas Sambo Wapmut; Senator Victor Lar; Architect John Alkali; Engineer Jimmy Cheto; and Godfrey Oman Miri. In the meeting guidelines and principles are being introduced to the gubernatorial aspirants in view of having one of them emerge as a sole candidate from the South to challenge Governor Jonah Jang’s anointed candidate, G.N.S. Pwajok. The Southern zone, within last few weeks, has been spitting fire over alleged planned efforts by Governor Jang to impose the senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Pwajok, on the people as the next governor. Pwajok and Governor Jang, who hails from Du in Jos South Local Government Area, have decided to swap positions, a development that is facing stiff protest. This, according to report, is in the interest of justice, equity and fair play. They argued that the 2015 governorship ticket ought to be zoned to the Southern zone, pointing to the fact that the Central and Northern zones have had their shares, leaving the southern zone.

Supreme Court sacked Taraba Ag Governor, orders Deputy sworn in

Supreme Court sacked Taraba Ag Governor, orders Deputy sworn in. Taraba State Acting Governor Umar Garba has been sacked by the Supreme Court. The Apex court on Friday also directed that the Deputy Governor, Abubakar Danladi be sworn in. It will be recalled that Danladi had approached a Federal High Court in Taraba, following his impeachment by the by Taraba State House of Assembly in September 2012. The lawmakers had found him guilty of gross misconduct and engaging in private businesses. But the Federal High Court ruled that Danladi was impeached in line with the provisions of the Section 188 of the constitution. The ruling was also upheld by a five-member panel of the Justices of the Court of Appeal, who dismissed the case as lacking in merit.