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PDP Is Dead In Enugu – APC …As PDP NWC Dissolves Ebonyi, Adamawa Excos
L-R: Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr Seun Abimbola, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji and Justice Mukthar Abimbola during the lecture on the ‘’future of Law and Legal Practice in Nigeria’’ in Ibadan, recently.
The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday said the protracted crisis in the Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party means that the ruling party will not be able to present a candidate in the state in 2015.
The chairman of the APC in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, said this at a news conference where he rejoiced over what he described as the “death of the PDP” in the state.
A bitter struggle between two factions, loyal to Governor Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, respectively, over the control of the party structure, has grounded the PDP in Enugu State, a few months to the polls.
The Chime camp, which insists that Chief Ikeje Asogwa is the chairman of the party, and the Ekweremadu faction, led by Elder David Aja, who was endorsed by the National Working Committee as acting chairman, have both gone to court to obtain court orders restraining each other from acting as the leadership of the PDP in the state.
Currently, there are strong indications that the Chime faction, which also obtained a court order that stopped the national secretariat of the party from acting on the delegates list presented by the Ekweremadu group, is shopping for an alternative political party platform to realise their aspirations in 2015.
There were unconfirmed reports that the Chime camp met on Tuesday to deliberate over a possible move to the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Addressing journalists against the backdrop of the unfolding developments, as well as the controversy over the N11bn loan approved for Chime by the state house of assembly, Nwoye declared that the Enugu State PDP would not recover from the crisis.
The Enugu APC chairman noted that a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was endorsed by Chime as the PDP consensus candidate, is making moves to join another political party in order to realise his gubernatorial hopes.
It is believed that the Ekweremadu faction, which is currently in charge of the party machinery, was not favorably disposed to Ugwuanyi’s ambition.
“APC is mourning the PDP in Enugu State, PDP as a political party in Enugu State is gone. “Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi) is looking for another platform.
“The Ekweremadu group has used their legal prowess in Abuja to tie down PDP while the Chime group has tied down PDP in Enugu State.
“So it means that PDP will not be able to present a candidate in Enugu State in 2015.
“We are now mourning the demise of the PDP – the prayers of the people have finally worked,” Nwoye said.
The APC chieftain noted that the opposition party was not responsible for the misfortune of the PDP in Enugu State.
Rather, he blamed the development on the PDP ruling class, who he said have failed Nigerians while enriching themselves.
He alleged that the N11bn loan approved for the Chime administration was fraught with irregularities and must be stopped by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Accusing the banks involved in the loan – UBA and GTB – of conniving with the administration to “wipe away” and “siphon the future revenue of Enugu State.”
Nwoye urged Enugu State indigenes to stop banking with the two financial institutions.
In the same vein, an APC gubernatorial aspirant, Barr. Okey Ezea, faulted the state assembly for approving the loan.
Ezea, who said he would not honour the loan if elected in 2015, said the facility did not comply with provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
“That approval is null and void and of no effect and if the banks go ahead to advance that money, they will be doing so at their own risk because the court of law may declare it null and void, and the incoming government may not be bound to repay that loan,” Ezea said.
Ezea added that the 2013 report of Debt Management Office indicated that Enugu State has a debt profile of over N12bn as of December 31, 2013, and warned that if the governor obtains the fresh N11bn loan, he would bequeath a N23bn debt on the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has dissolved the party’s executives in Ebonyi and Adamawa States.
The decision to sack the executives was taken at the meeting of the National Working Committee of the party, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting.
He said, “In order to maintain discipline and to show the supremacy of the party and in furtherance of running a lawful, orderly and responsible state organs of our party, the NWC has decided to dissolve the state executive committees of Adamawa and Ebonyi States for grave and inimical conduct and act capable of disorganising and undermining good conduct of the party in the states.
“We urge members in those states to disregard the publications of the result of the Ward congresses made by those two state executives. Our members should disregard them as not being authorised and not coming from a proper custody. ” he said.
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Land grabbing and crisis of fraudulent land sales may soon be a thing of the past as Rivers State begins experimenting the community land development committee system.
The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated last Friday by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor J.D. Mkpe.
The Alesa community where the Port Harcourt refineries are situated has implemented the recommended formula with the strong support of the paramount ruler said to be a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, often advocating for better infrastructure and governance in his area.
Inaugurating the committee headed by a businessman, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler recounted the contributions of his community to economic development of the nation.
“Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.
“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.
“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.
“And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.
According to him, we are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.
“We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers,
“We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.
“We are optimistic that this strategy will work for us all. One of the greatest persons who has been able to identify with us is the Mayor of Housing. He has been friendly to us and to our aspirations.
Speaking immediately after the inauguration, the chairman of Alesa Land Development Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, vowed never to betray his community.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Alesa Council of Chiefs, the women, the youths, for nominating me to be the chairman of the Alesa Land Development Committee. I want to say this afternoon that I, Emmanuel Olaka, a bonafide son of Alaka, from Uwueke community, I will never disrespect this community. I will always do what is right, so that my God will always stand by me. I will not be biased.”
Also speaking, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is behind the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.
He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to put an end to land grabbing.
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