Politics
2014: Anambra Up For Grabs
Come March 17, 2014, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State will be bowing out from office having served his people for two terms. Govenor Obi who contested the gubernatorial election in Anambra State on the platform of All Progressives Grands Alliance (APGA) in 2003 came into office 33 months later, following the ouster of Dr. Chris Ngige of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through an Appeal Court judgement.
Before Governor Obi took over the mantle of leadership in Anambra State his predecessor, Dr. Ngige, a physician of notable standing had successfully carried out a surgical operation on the sickly state as a result of the malaise of maladministration occasioned by the visionless leadership of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju. It was while the state was recuperating under the able hands of Dr. Ngige who had embarked on a number of developmental projects that power was transferred to Governor Obi on March 17, 2006.
Although Governor Obi was a successful businessman before he ventured into politics his election into the exalted office was facilitated by Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the founder of APGA, the Ikemba Nnewi and Eze Igbo Gburugburu who commanded the respect of the Ndigbo. Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu, an adorable leader of his people hailed from Anambra State, and for his sake Anambra State was delivered to Governor Obi twice on the platform of APGA.
However, Governor Obi has been able to provide purposeful leadership to the people of Anambra State in the past seven years.
According to observers, his development programme, Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) which was unveiled in the days of his administration has taken care of some of the developmental needs of his people. Apart from ensuring prudence in the management of the state treasury, Governor Obi has made remarkable impact on the health and education sectors as well as youth empowerment. Indeed, history will have him as one of those who left enduring legacies in Anambra State.
But one thing that is very common with politicians that have occupied elective positions is their unquenchable thirst for power. For a man of his political status observers are of the view that Governor Obi will be aspiring for a national office.
Speaking at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Asata, Enugu recently, Governor Obi said he would quit politics at the end of his tenure.
“For me, I have come to the end of it. I want to quit and rest. However, I have been praying to God that for the sake of the good people of Anambra State, please give them somebody like Peter Obi”, he said.
As Governor Obi’s tenure is fast winding up, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra State gubernational poll for November 16, this year. Consequently, governorship aspirants of the major poltical parties in the country have lined up for the juicy office.
While it was easy for Governor Obi to win election in 2003 and 2010 through the enormous support and influence of late Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu the coast appears to be hazy for APGA in the forthcoming election due to the intra-party wranglings that pollarised the party for a length of time. Fortunately, Governor Obi and the embattled National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh have resolved their differences, but they need to redouble their effort so as to reposition the party to regain the confidence of the Anambrarians. In fact, Governor Obi should rise to occasion by proving skeptics wrong that APGA was buried alongside the Late Ikemba.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) equally has a chance to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State if the warring factions in the party will sheathe their swords and work together for their common good. Presently, the party controls two Senatorial seats and a sizeable number of seats in the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly. It is therefore, incumbent on the party leadership at the national level to ensure that the right thing is done for peace to reign.
Recently, business mogul, Ifeanyi Uba declared his intention to contest the gubernatorial poll on the platform of the Labour Party. Although, he is being dismissed in certain quarters as political neophyte, observers are of the view that he could spring surprises because of his financial musile which is a major factor in politics.
Also in the race is former Governor Chris Ngige who is currently the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. In a letter dated July 24, 2013 and addressed to the Senate President, David Mark, Senator Ngige formally notified the Senate of his intention to participate in the gubernatorial election.
“Mr. President and distinguished colleagues, in the last three months or so, I have been incundated with calls, text messages and visits by many people from my home state, Anambra, and the messages had remained the same, ‘we need you back home as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of our State come March 17, 2014.
“It has been a very difficult decision for me to take and I have consulted extensively with my family, political associates, colleagues and the people.
“My people think that I would be better as their governor again. They have asked; they have eajoled; they have persuaded; they have demanded; they have called and they are praying that I answer their call to come and govern the state again.
“I have had the honour and privilege of serving them in this capacity before from May 2003 – March 2006.
“They were kind enough to send me to this Senate to show me immense goodwill they have for me. It is therefore, not a personal ambition any longer for me to become Governor of Anambra State.
“However, the cry and the demand of my people have been a source of incredible pressure and have increased tremendously with the release of the election timetable two weeks ago by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I have concluded consultations and now find it necessary to officially inform this Senate that I will be an aspirant and hopefully a candidate in the election.
“Please wish me luck and pray for me, even if you are not of my party. I am of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stock, but for this journey I intend to use the vehicle of Progressives – our newly merged political party – the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, he said.
The Anambra gubernatorial poll is indeed gaining momentum, it is our hope that the electorate will be guided by their conscience in choosing the right person for the job.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has directed his legal team to resume all court proceedings against Mrs. Tracy Ohiri over her repeated allegations of indebtedness and other claims against him.
Mrs Ohiri had publicly accused Senator Umahi of owing her N280 million for campaign materials from his tenure as party chairman in Ebonyi State.
The allegations went viral on social media, where she also accused the Minister of sexual harassment.
Security agencies arrested Mrs Ohiri, and she was subsequently prosecuted. Her lawyer, Barrister Marshall Abubakar, intervened, leading to the deletion of all posts and a public apology, which also gained widespread attention online.
However, days after the apology, Mrs Ohiri resumed her claims against Senator Umahi.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Senator Umahi said he had informed Barrister Abubakar during the intervention that if Mrs Ohiri could provide verifiable evidence, logs, and communications from the period in question, some of his associates were willing to contribute a sum of One Billion Naira (N1billion) to her, evidence which, he said, she had yet to provide.
“The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, has been monitoring the ongoing public discourse surrounding the claims and counterclaims by Mrs. Tracy Ohiri.
“Ordinarily, this would have been ignored, but in the interest of truth and public clarity, it is necessary to address the issues directly”, the statement read.
The statement clarified that Barrister Abubakar acted in good faith and without any financial interest, motivated solely by a desire to assist Mrs Ohiri.
At no point did the lawyer discuss or negotiate any payment with the minister, although some well-meaning associates independently offered support”, the statement added.
Senator Umahi reiterated the conditions for resolving the matter: either the claims must be tested in court, or Mrs Ohiri must provide credible evidence, including all relevant communications, to substantiate her allegations.
The minister emphasised that Barr Abubakar conducted himself with integrity throughout the process.
“Following the failure to meet these conditions, particularly the inability to provide verifiable evidence, the Minister has directed his legal team to proceed with all court processes to ensure the truth is fully established,” the statement said.
Senator Umahi said despite years of public provocations and attacks, he chose to remain silent, focusing on national and state services.
He thanked Nigerians who had taken time to assess the facts and noted that “not everyone who presents themselves as a victim truly is one, and in some cases, narratives are deliberately inverted.”
The Minister affirmed that he will not be distracted by Mrs Ohiri’s allegations and remained committed to his mandate at the Ministry of Works.
“The focus remains on results, service, and ensuring that Nigerians continue to benefit from projects that improve connectivity, economic growth, and national development. This administration will continue to pursue its transformation agenda with dedication, transparency, and an unwavering sense of responsibility,” he concluded.
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned proceedings in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to April 14, 2026, for the hearing of all pending motions.
Justice Stephen Jumbo made the pronouncement during a recent sitting in Port Harcourt.
The suit, which borders on the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structure in the state, was instituted against the factional State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Aaron Chukwuemeka, alongside the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and other respondents.
Also joined in the matter are the PDP as a corporate entity, the Rivers State Government, as well as Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas, including their respective Vice Chairmen and Councillors.
The claimants, Enyi Uchechukwu, Wisdom Kalio and Uche Amadi, approached the court via an originating summons seeking judicial interpretation on the validity of actions taken by the Chief Chukwuemeka-led state executive committee of the party.
Central to the dispute is whether the said executive committee, whose emergence the claimants contend has been nullified by a subsisting court judgment, retains the legal authority to act on behalf of the party in critical electoral matters.
The plaintiffs specifically urged the court to determine whether the factional leadership could validly submit a list of candidates to RSIEC for the purpose of participating in local government elections.
They further questioned the legitimacy of the PDP’s participation in the August 30, 2025 local government elections, contending that any list purportedly submitted by the factional leadership was invalid and of no legal consequence.
In addition to the declaratory reliefs sought, the claimants also prayed the court to grant consequential orders addressing the outcome and conduct of the said elections across the affected local government areas.
At the resumed hearing, counsel representing the PDP and the affected local government councils informed the court that they had only recently been served with the originating processes and accompanying documents.
The defence team, comprising several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), disclosed that service of the court processes was effected on March 13, 2026, leaving them with limited time to adequately prepare their responses.
Consequently, the defence counsel applied for an adjournment to enable them study the processes and address the legal issues raised, particularly as they relate to jurisdictional questions and points of law.
Counsel to the claimants, Glory Chizim-Chinda, did not oppose the application, following which the presiding judge granted the request and adjourned the matter to April 14, 2026, for the hearing of all pending motions, with a possible ruling expected ahead of the substantive suit.
By: King Onunwor
A former state lawmaker in the old the Rivers State, Professor Alex Eseimokumo, has described Nigerian opposition political parties as mere preposition political parties.
He also advised the country’s electorate against selling their votes during next year’s general elections.
The former legislator, who is also the president of the Institute for Peace, Conflict Resolution and Entrepreneurial Research, said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide on the sidelines of an event organized by the institute in Port Harcourt.
He said opposition political parties in Nigeria have been reduced to preposition political parties as most of them are not only dinning with the government but advising government on what to do to win election.
“The problem in Nigeria is we are not practicing politics the way it is supposed to be.The opposition are more in preposition.
“You see, opposition is supposed to find out things that are wrong in government but in our present day politics, you see opposition even dinning with the other group. So, there is basically nothing like opposition in Nigeria “, he said.
He lamented a situation where some individuals within the opposition are allegedly working hard to prevent their parties from fielding presidential candidates in the forthcoming election, adding that such individuals were only there to protect their personal interest.
Prof. Eseimokumo said as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he could not wish his party to fail in the election, even though nothing is impossible in Nigeria.
He noted that though the government in power has been trying it’s best, there was more to be done.
In his words, “I’m an APC member, so I don’t have the right to criticize my party but a word of advice: we still need to do more, more people oriented leadership where everybody will feel carried along.
“For now, I’m campaigning for APC to be re elected and if I stand here to say APC is not doing well, I’m not being fair to myself. But I think, with God all things are possible, there can be changes”.
On his assessment of the performances of governors of the Niger Delta states, Prof Eseimokumo said the governors were doing well within the limit of their resources.
” I don’t know what is given to them as allocation, but if what we are seeing in terms of window dressing is not window shopping, then they are doing well”, he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Eseimokumo has advised Nigerian electorates against selling their votes during the forthcoming elections.
He said credible election could only be achieved when the electorates refuse financial inducement during the elections.
According to him, though Nigerian voters had been difficult to persuade, the time had come for them to stop selling their votes.
Prof. Eseimokumo said the forthcoming elections will serve as a litmus test for the Nigerian electorate to demonstrate their desire for changes in the country, stressing that free and fair elections will continue to be a mirage in the country until the was a change in the attitude of the electorate.
“If you want your vote to count, don’t take money from anybody; if you want your votes to count, don’t collect money for your vote. The moment you collect money for your vote, you have sold your conscience”, he warned.
He said his institute will continue to work for peace, not just in the Niger Delta region but across Nigeria.
By: John Bibor
-
News3 days agoNigeria Recorded Two World’s Deadliest Terror Attacks In 2025 –Report
-
Politics3 days agoEid-el-fitr: INEC Urges Staff Discipline Ahead Ekiti, Osun Guber Polls
-
Editorial3 days agoThumbs Up For Sit-At-Home Reversal
-
News3 days agoPerm. Sec Pats Rivers NUJ On The Back
-
News3 days agoExplosions Rock Lagos, C’River, Kill One, Injure 40
-
News3 days agoFubara Hails Umah Ukpai’s Contributions To Global Christian Evangelism
-
Education3 days agoOpobo Kingdom moves to incorporate Ibani Language Into School Curriculum, Takes Off April
-
News3 days ago
Etche Monarch Alleges Death Threats, Assault