News

APGA’s Soludo, Ibezim Receive Certificate Of Return From INEC

Despite opposition to the eventual outcome of the November 6 gubernatorial elections in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the certificate of return to the winner of the polls and governor-elect, Professor Charles Soludo and the deputy governor-elect, Dr. Gilbert Ibezim.

The event took place at the INEC state office in Awka, Anambra State on Friday, November 12, 2021, despite the rejection of the election results by the candidate of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Andy Uba.

It would be recalled that the nation’s electoral body, INEC, had on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, declared Chukwuma Soludo, who contested the election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), as the winner of the polls which took place on November 6th as well as the November 9th supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

Soludo emerged as the eventual winner of the election with 112,229 votes. In second place was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Valentine Ozigbo with 53,807 votes while Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came third with 43,285 votes.

The governor-elect, Soludo, alongside his deputy, Ibezim, received their certificates in the presence of their key supporters.

While issuing the certificate of return, the supervising national commissioner for the state election, Festus Okoye, said it was in compliance with Section 75 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) although the tenure of the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano, will not expire until March 17, 2022.

“There is no doubt that the Commission conducted the 6th and 9th November 2021 Governorship election in difficult circumstances. Indeed, the election was conducted in a challenging environment accentuated by fear, anxiety and uncertainty occasioned by political agitation in the southeast geopolitical zone.

“As we all know, agitations of this kind occur often in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural political settings where identities are politically mobilised in the struggle for power and resources and sometimes in the desire for a just and equitable society.”

On the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Mr Okoye said:

“With specific reference to genuine concerns expressed by citizens on the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on February 6, 2021, Anambra governorship election, the Commission wishes to state categorically that it stands to benefit from such criticisms and promises that these challenges will be addressed as was evident in the improved functionality of the BVAS in the supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government Area.

“We are confident in our judgment that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System will remain a fundamental feature of our accreditation process as it will consign into the dustbin of history worrisome incidents of multiple voting and identity theft that in the past denied the country’s electoral process the desired public trust and confidence. On this note, the Commission will continue to improve on and perfect the technology for subsequent and future elections.”

News

Governors in heated meeting With Presidency Over Tax Reforms

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) convened a late-night meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, December 10. The meeting ended without a communiqué, fuelling speculation about the contentious tax reform bills at the heart of their discussions.

The meeting, which commenced at 10 p.m. and lasted just an hour, was attended by 15 governors, primarily from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, representing the Labour Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, were also present.

Sources disclosed that the governors failed to reach a consensus on the tax reform bills President Bola Tinubu recently presented to the National Assembly.

The reforms have drawn sharp criticism, with 19 northern governors rejecting key provisions and urging withdrawal. The National Economic Council (NEC) also reportedly dismissed the proposed legislation.

“The bills are flawed and fail to address the realities in many states,” a northern governor reportedly remarked.

The NGF’s silence following the meeting has further heightened public interest. Deviating from tradition, the governors refrained from issuing a post-meeting statement or briefing journalists.

This development has sparked concerns about potential divisions within the NGF, as the governors grapple with the polarising tax proposals. Observers note that the absence of an official communiqué suggests deep-seated disagreements.

As Nigerians await clarity on the fate of the tax reforms, the meeting’s abrupt conclusion underscores the growing tension over Tinubu’s economic policies. Whether the governors will resolve remains to be seen.

News

Okpebholo Budget Speech: Edo Governor struggles with figures during budget presentation

Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had a bit of a rough start while presenting the 2025 budget proposal to the state House of Assembly, on Tuesday.

He struggled to get the figures right, stumbling over the numbers and eliciting laughter and murmurs from the lawmakers.

“The Edo state Appropriation Bill of six billion… 605 billion… 76 million…” Okpebholo began, his hands unsteady and voice quivering in the rarefied assembly.

“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me,” the governor stuttered and chuckled.

Despite the initial hiccup, Okpebholo composed himself and continued with the presentation.

The proposed budget, tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo,” stands at N605 billion, a 25% increase from the 2024 budget.

The governor highlighted road infrastructure and education as key priorities for his administration, allocating N162 billion for road development and N48 billion for education.

Okpebholo also emphasized the importance of security and community development, pledging to bring peace and harmony to the state.

He announced plans to provide N500 million monthly subvention to Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, to support its revival.

The governor’s budget proposal is designed to achieve the goals of his five-point agenda, which includes security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.

News

PDP expels Reps member Ugochinyere over anti-party activities, indiscipline

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, with immediate effect due to gross indiscipline, insubordination and anti-party activities.

Ugochinyere’s expulsion was announced in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke, and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

This is according to a statement on Friday, December 6, 2024, wherein Lancelot Obiak, the Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, said the executives expelled Ugochinyere.

The decision followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee dated November 27, 2024, which investigated alleged misconduct against the lawmaker in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution 2017 as amended.

Ugochinyere was first suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, following failure to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee to defend the allegations of disciplinary offences against him.

The statement read, “The expulsion was conveyed in a letter by the Ideato LGA chapter of the party dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh which they addressed to the State Chairman.

“The expulsion followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated misconduct charges against Ugochinyere in line with Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended.

“The lawmaker had been suspended at his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, after failing to honour the invitation to appear before the ward Executive Committee on October 5, 2024, to answer to allegations of disciplinary offences, and ignoring reminders and further invitation sent to him on October 7, 2024.

“The letter partly read: “Upon receipt of the report, the LGA Executive Committee of Ideato North met on the 5th of December, 2024, and unanimously adopted the report of the disciplinary committee”.

“In light of this, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere Ikegwuonu is hereby expelled from the party (PDP) with immediate effect and he ceases to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Umuofia/Umukegwu ward of Ideato North LGA”.

“The party found Ugochinyere guilty of deliberate failure to attend meetings and participate in activities of the party for a long time in breach of Section 58 (1)e) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. He was said to have engaged in unauthorised publicity of disputes within the party which contravenes section 58(1)i of the party’s constitution. Also, he formed parallel executive and organs of the party in his ward, and at the LGA and National levels which also breaches the party’s constitution”.

“Furthermore, he was found guilty of consistently making derogatory and provocative public statements against the party and some of its national leaders, an action that brought the party to public ridicule”.