Breaking News: Supporters of Reagan Ufomba clash with supporters of Alex Otti

Supporters of Reagan Ufomba, the factional APGA Governorship Candidate in Abia State today clashed with the Supporters of Alex Otti, another factional APGA Governorship Candidate in Abia State.

Information reaching us through an eye witness report states that the Alex Otti group attacked supporters of Reagan Ufomba at the popular Ntigha Junction along Enugu/ Portharcourt (Umuahia/Aba axis) leading to the country home of Reagan Ufomba following a rift that ensued when Alex Otti led APGA campaign trail tried forcing their way into Ntigha after being warned by Reagan Ufomba's APGA group to stay clear of Ntigha, the country home of Reagan Ufomba.

Our reporters gathered so far that scores of people were reportedly injured including one APGA Chieftain, Chief Johnson Chukwu. We shall bring you more details soon

Culled from: Naijanetwork news page

Analysing the Chances of Ikpeazu's Candidature

By Martin Eze

IN 1991, the administration of Major General Ibrahim .B. Babangida created additional states including Abia State, God's Own State. Administrators were appointed to run the state's affairs until 1993 when Dr. Ogbonnaya Onuh became the first democratically elected Governor of the state. He couldn't complete his term because of ministry intervention.

Abia State is divided into three electoral political zones, Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. Since the creation of the state nobody from Abia South has ever Governed the state either as an administrator or as Executive Governor. In 1999, the north through Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu governed from 1999 - 2007 and Chief T.A. Orji from Abia Central took over, but by May 29, 2015 his administration comes to an end and a successor must emerge. The question is from which zone? That is the issue of the moment. Zoning, though not written in our constitution is one of the major factors that will influence the electorate come April11, 2015.

When it was time for aspirants to emerge,a man from Abia South, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu indicated interest on the platform of People Democratic Party, PDP. After a well conducted and contested primary with other aspirants from all the zones in the state, Victor emerged, a first stage in the race of Government House. As we enter the next phase which is the general election were other political parties will present their candidates, surely the issue of zoning will likely play a major role in the voting of the electorate.
It is unlikely that Abians will vote for a candidate from the same zone with the present Governor Chief T.A. Orji, that equally extends to any candidate from Abia North.

Although, Abia State is largely a people democratic party state but there are some other parties with some presence such as the PPA which is a poster & billboard party. In All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, with less than forty days to general election, the electorate is not sure who the governorship candidate is. Some people say it's Alex Oti while others mention the name of another candidate. If it's Alex Oti, where is he from, is he from Arochukwu (Abia North) or from Aro-Ngwa (Abia Central). Some say he was born in Arochukwu but grew up in Ngwa while others claim he was born in Ngwa but grew up in Arochukwu, with this ambiguity, either way, he is certainly not favoured by the zoning permutation.

Secondly, the performance of the present administration which is a PDP government should have some bargaining chip for its candidate. Many are of the view that with Chief T.A. Orji, who also doubles as Chairman of the Eastern Governors forum , Abians have had a good taste of real dividends of democracy. All the previous government carried out the business of State from Temperance government House while the new Government House he started is almost near completion. He also built a modern state secretariat for office complex unlike his predecessors who made use of scattered rented building as offices which was siphoning the state money. The roads, education, health care, spots etc, all got the attention of the government space will not allow me to enumerate all.
In fact, he ended the reign of kidnappers and robbers thereby making the state a safe haven for private investors from within and outside the country. Ikpeazu as a PDP candidate will likely benefit from these legacies of Ochendo.

The third determinant factor will be the position of the political stake holders in the state. It is not in doubt that almost all the political bigwigs in Abia State are members of the People Democratic Party. Some of these bigwigs influence the voting pattern of the electorate from their constituency because of their past achievements. In Abia Central, we have the likes of Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former NDDC Chairman who presented a formidable opposition during 2007 election. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, minister of Finance and co-ordinating minister of the economy is also from the central. Some families are benefiaries of the scholarship scheme of some of the bigwigs. Some got employment through their assistance, widows are equally catered for. Some built boreholes and other developmental projects.
The fourth index that could crown it all is the pedigree of the candidates. For Dr. Alex Oti, he is relatively new in the politics of Abia, nothing much is know about him accept that he is a retired banker. His political platform APGA is unpopular in the state. His candidature is still been contested for by another candidate. This crack will certainly affect him negatively.

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is the only candidate that is sure of a hundred percent vote from a political zone, the Abia south.

He has held political positions in the past and impacted the life of many citizens, built bridges across all strata. He is not a new entrant into Abia political firmanent.

Mr. Martin Eze, a political analyst, wrote from Umuahia, Abia State.

Gov. Orji and new meaning to governance (1)

By the time Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State runs his full circle on the hot seat, he would not only have left a legacy of a stable state and a stable polity, he would be adding a new lexicon to the political books and a new theory to political philosophy. I call it ‘Ochendoism’. Many years to come, students of the history of ideas and students of political philosophy would marvel at the fact that, quite contrary to the popular norm, Governor Orji did not set out to propound a theory. He did not consciously set out to add to the body of knowledge. Yet, he gave a new meaning to governance. Ochendoism, as a new form of government, is a historical accident.

As a peculiar historical progression, Ochendoism is far more than an academic theory for an intellectual exercise and exploration. The theory is a new norm of governance and a new culture of political administration as demonstrated by Orji in his adventures in Abia. Simply defined, Ochendoism is the government of rebirth, restitution and rebuilding; the government of the three Rs (RRR). It is an ethical imperative that saw a leader healing a traumatized people and rebuilding a polarized and fractured polity. It is the vision of a new rebirth that drove a leader to create a new beginning and a new society out of the wreckages of the past.

Essentially, the theory expands the frontiers of governance to add the agenda of peace and equity as a cardinal mandate of the king. It distills from the time-honoured definitions of power and democracy to prescribe, for the leader, the moral mandate of causing an attitudinal change, creating a new culture and evolving a new state out of an orientation that leaned towards barbarism. In this new Abia, Orji demystified the office of the executive governor and the leader presented himself as an ordinary mortal with feelings, remorse and compassion – with flesh and blood. In this spirit, the governor opened himself to hear and feel the thought and concerns of every citizen. He received every message directly and replied every message directly.

Ochendoism is revolutionary in practice as it breaks all class structures and creates a synergy between idealism in power and pragmatism. Orji demonstrated that the king must be the leader of all men and must appreciate the varieties of our common humanity. He dispersed power and created a rainbow coalition that involved the broad spectrum of the Abia society. Every group had a voice and a good representation.

Indeed, history must note that Ochendoism as a political philosophy emerged out of pragmatic action. Governor Orji’s political birth was into a raging war. He inherited nothing but war. History placed on his laps a society that was visibly at war, a state that was highly polarised and where the parties were at daggers-drawn. Thus, his first major preoccupation was with social reconstruction. He would only succeed if he breaks off from the festering chain of an overbearing predecessor, pull the state and the people out of a cultural captivity and create a new world order. He took the bull by the horns and stamped his feet on the soil of Abia State as a visionary leader.

Having ousted a regime of anarchy with all its bloody vestiges and brought a ray of hope to a speechless people, he ignored the Mosaic code of “an eye for an eye” and set out on the path of truth and reconciliation. He threw out an olive branch and threw the door of government house open and in the frenzy of the new freedom, all Abians, in one collective spirit, began to speak in one voice and enlisted into the new vision of Abia State. Thus, one major hallmark of Ochendoism is the building of bridges of understanding and the rebuilding of relationships. With a united house, he was now able to move on to the higher spiritual ground of restitution.

Apart from servicing debts incurred by the fallen dynasty, he commenced a large-scale programme of making amends and correcting the excesses of the past administration. This saw to the birth of many social-welfarist programmes like the Ochendo Youth Empowerment Programme, which transformed Abia into a yellow state; the Hannah May Foundation, the pet humanitarian programme of the first lady; the student bursary scheme and the student free city buses. There are many more. Borne out of a bitter experience of a generational youth deviance which manifested in the regime of criminality by the Abia youths, with the vice of kidnapping almost grounding the state, the empowerment programme is an effort at social reconstruction and capacity building. The resultant effect is the prevailing social stability in the state.

Significantly, Ochendoism sees the society as one common entity and seeks to resolve the primordial sentiments that have created barriers and divisions in the polity. It seeks to address the issues of inequity, domination and the imbalance of power. This is the background that informs the insistence of Ochendo that power must shift to Abia South of Ukwa Ngwa extraction. He is working very hard to achieve it. By seeking to break this jinx of power exclusion, Governor Orji demonstrated that the role of the leader is not just to manage men and the resources of the state but to assuage the inner resentments and outer sentiments among groups that created deep-seated spirit of disunity and apprehension in the polity.

By driving on the plank of the three Rs, Governor Orji created a new template for political administration and left an invaluable asset and legacy to the study and practice of political power. As the clock gradually ticks and the curtain winds slowly, Orji   will confidently step out to the market square to show himself approved a workman who does not need to be ashamed. Very soon, he would demand for his crown. He would say after Paul of Tarsus: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”

Godwin Adindu

Okezie Ikpeazu PhD makes a triumphant return to the class room

 

* Delivers lecture at Abia State Polytechnic
* Promises to review fees 

The PDP Governorship candidate for Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD, returned to the classroom today to teach students of Abia State Polytechnic Aba. 

A former lecturer at Calabar Polytechnic and former Head of Biochemistry Department at Enugu State University of Technology, Okezie Ikpeazu  was the guest lecturer at a seminar for science students organized by Grace Uduma Foundation in conjunction with the School of Science of the institution. 

His presentation which lasted for more than an hour focused on "Effect of garlic extract on body fat" and "Waste to wealth: a biochemical perspective". The renowned scientist and researcher kept the enthusiastic students spell bound as he reeled out scientific facts based on the research he co-authored with an Indian national on the efficacy of garlic extract in reducing body fat, especially when combined with exercises.

Speaking on "wealth to waste", the frontline gubernatorial candidate in Abia who was the immediate past Deputy General Manager of Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASEPA) told the students that Aba currently generates more than 5000 tonnes of waste daily. According to him “this waste can easily be converted to wealth by the citizens from collection at homes to the anaerobic and alcoholic fermentation of the waste to produce fertilizer, methanol, biogas etc through recycling, reuse and sorting”. The former lecturer who obtained a doctorate degree in Biochemistry at age 30 highlighted the biochemical processes involved in the anaerobic and alcoholic fermentation reactions that converts waste to other useful products. He explained to the students how they can make enormous wealth by keying into the available opportunities within the waste management systems as the volume of waste is expected to increase with improvements in income.

Answering a question from one of the students, Okezie Ikpeazu encouraged the students to see themselves as the best and work hard towards their life goals. He promised to ensure that the students receive bursaries regularly as well as get large multinational corporations to partner with Abia tertiary institutions in supporting education through endowments, sponsoring beneficial research work and supporting infrastructural development at the schools. According to him: "education is the key to guaranteeing the present and future of Abia State and no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that education at all levels is prioritized with no child left behind and the welfare of teachers taken care of as a matter of priority".

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Dean of School of Science & Industrial Technology, Rev. Engr. David Dimoji informed the students that Okezie Ikpeazu with his vast experience in the educational sector, public service and private sector possesses all the relevant skills and capacity required to transform the fortunes of the institution and Abia State rapidly. He further appealed to  Okezie Ikpeazu to make the lecture an annual event to enable the students benefit from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

The Rector, Prof Uche E. Ikonne, presented a special award to Dr Okezie at the end of his presentation and urged him to treat Abia State Polytechnic as his own institution and partner in manpower development in the State. He prayed God to grant him success at the polls as according to him: “ Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD possesses the required humility, intellect and energy to take Abia to the zenith in Nigeria”

Other notable attendees at the massively attended lecture include the immediate past Rector of the school, Elder A. A. Onukaogu, President of the students Union, Comrade Maxwell Eze as well as lecturers and management staff of the institution..

However, after the lectures, the excited students led the PDP candidate, who is also an Aba resident, with chants of "Okezie is our Governor" to the school pavilion where he addressed thousands of students of the school. Dr Okezie promised to review fees payable by the students, if elected as Governor, as well as ensure uninterrupted academic calendar at all State owned educational institutions. He asked the students to reciprocate by taking their studies serious with a view to graduating in flying colours and make their Parents, School and Abia  proud.

Abia guber candidate outline his social, political and economic Programmes

The PDP Abia Gubernatorial candidate, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD on Monday, 23 February 2015 at the Aba Chamber of Commerce (ACCIMA) unveiled his policy thrust to the Aba business community.

The Abia Gubernatorial candidate, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD outlined his social, political and economic Programmes that will drive Abia to greater height once elected the Governor of the State.

According to the PDP gubernatorial candidate, his administration will be propelled by the Private Sector driven economy as transparency and service delivery shall be instituted in the system without being compromised. While reassuring the members of ACCIMA that he is the right person with full knowledge of Aba and the right person to fix Aba, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu reaffirmed that his administration shall leverage on those areas that Abia State can boast of comparative advantage, like agriculture, trade and commerce, SMEs & natural endowments. 

He further reiterated that his administration shall look beyond oil as other areas will be explored, maintaining that Abia State during his time, will be projected beyond the boundaries of Nigeria.

Abia PDP guber candidate denies evading tax, certificate forgery

Abia State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has debunked allegations that he forged his first degree certificate and has irregular tax papers.
He noted at his campaign office in Umuahia yesterday, that those who went to court with the allegation were misguided and bad losers, saying that the Abuja court vindicated him by dismissing the allegations and awarding cost to the applicants when it was proved that it was a case of mistaken identity.

The PDP candidate however, said that there was another Chief Okezie Ikpeazu, a businessman and a farmer, who also hails from Obingwa but whom they mistook for Dr. Ikpeazu, stressing that he is not addressed as a chief.
He explained that as a civil servant for 12 years, he paid his taxes as the tax of a civil servant is deducted at source and therefore could not be evaded.
“Payment of tax was not a matter of choice but I paid compulsorily as a civil servant, therefore payment or non-payment cannot be an issue for a public servant, every public servant pays tax on pay as you earn system,” the PDP candidate said.

He stated that he had submitted the requisite documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the issue of tax evasion came up in court. He however, added that the constitution and the Electoral Act have nothing against tax evasion, saying that even if it were true it was not enough to stop him as a candidate of the party.
In his remark, the legal adviser of the Okezuo Abia campaign organisation, Mr. Teddy Eruba, INEC has not withdrawn or disqualified any candidate, let alone Ikpeazu who emerged through a transparent process.

Answering questions on other allegations of forged certificate and god- fatherism, Ikpeazu noted that he consulted all the major stakeholders in the state before the governorship primary and has the assurance of Governor Theodore Orji that he would not suffer what he (governor) suffered. He added that he could not have taught in four universities and risen to the rank of head of department with forged certificates.